LONDON—The European Union (EU) must bolster its focus on defense and should consider pursuing a European Air Shield, says EU President Ursula von der Leyen.
“We need to invest more. We need to invest together. And we must set up common European projects,” she told the European Parliament Plenary July 18 in seeking a second mandate to keep her in office until 2029.
One example for cooperation would be what she called a comprehensive aerial defense system, “not only to protect our airspace, but as a strong symbol of European unity in defense matters."
Military leaders at the Global Air & Space Chiefs Conference here in London also underscored the need for more air and missile defense in Europe. The UK’s new armed forces minister, Luke Pollard, said the country needs to learn from recent operations to protect against both high- and low-end threats and have a “more flexible air defense cover.”
But Air Chief Marshal Rich Knighton, the UK’s chief of the air staff, struck a cautionary note. “We can’t afford an Iron Dome for Europe,” he said, in reference to the system Israel uses to intercept uncrewed aircraft systems and rockets. The size of Europe does not allow such a comprehensive construct, he indicated. “We can’t protect everything.”
Working across countries to provide the best possible protection will be critical, Knighton said at the conference.
The EU’s von der Leyen, in her comments, also made a push for member states to take collective defense more seriously. Given current security challenges, she said, “I believe now is therefore the time to build a true European Defense Union."
“Our spending on defense is too low and ineffective," she added. "Our foreign spending is too great. We must therefore create a single market for defense. We must invest more in high-end defense capabilities.”
The UK’s Pollard said the Labour government would pursue a new security pact with the EU. London is trying to repair relations with Brussels frayed by Brexit, the UK’s exit from the bloc.
Related Content
