Europe needs to wake up and revolutionize arms production, says NATO commander
Admiral Vandier says Europe needs to increase military spending beyond 2% GDP, accelerate technological innovation, and develop more flexible procurement processes.
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Admiral Pierre Vandier, has called for urgent and comprehensive reforms in defense procurement, spending, and technological innovation amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Talking to Politico, Vandier criticized Europe’s current defense approach, particularly its overly cautious regulatory environment.
“Europe can’t win the future arms battle with the rules they’ve imposed on themselves today,” he stated, highlighting the continent’s tendency towards “over-compliance” in military equipment development.
The French admiral identified several critical weak spots in European defense capabilities, including space technologies, information technology, and military mobility. Specifically, Vandier pointed out that European militaries have been spending on expensive, long-life satellites, while companies like SpaceX can launch multiple small satellites cost-effectively.
Addressing the challenges posed by the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Vandier emphasized that modern warfare demands unprecedented flexibility across multiple domains, including land, sea, air, space, cyber, and information spheres.
A key recommendation is increasing defense spending. Vandier suggested that the current NATO target of 2% of GDP is insufficient, proposing that 3% might become the new objective within the next 18 months. He recalled that during the Cold War, military expenditure reached 4-5% of GDP.
Vandier remains optimistic about European defense capabilities, believing that European firms can be more than mere subcontractors to American companies.
Related:
- NATO PA calls for medium-range missiles to aid Ukraine’s defense and aggression deterrence
- Czech intelligence chief warns against weak peace in Ukraine
- NATO supports allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia
- Le Monde: Secret discussions on sending troops to Ukraine resume in Europe
- Top NATO official urges leaders to get ready for “wartime scenario” after Russia threatened retaliation for Ukraine’s strikes at its territory
- Ukrainian soldiers receive EOD training in Britain under Operation Interflex
- Russia’s weapons production outpaces EU by factor of four, German defense minister warns
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.
