- cross-posted to:
- europe@feddit.org
- BuyFromEU@europe.pub
- cross-posted to:
- europe@feddit.org
- BuyFromEU@europe.pub
cross-posted from: https://sopuli.xyz/post/24105021
Archive: https://archive.is/2025.03.19-115656/https://www.ft.com/content/eb9e0ddc-8606-46f5-8758-a1b8beae14f1
The planned fund for capitals to spend on weapons would only be open to EU defence companies and those from third countries that have signed defence agreements with the bloc, officials said on Wednesday.
It would also exclude any advanced weapons systems upon which a third country had “design authority” — restrictions on its construction or use of particular components — or control over its eventual use, the officials added.
That would exclude the US Patriot air and missile defence platform, which is manufactured by defence contractor RTX, and other US weapons systems where Washington has restrictions on where they can be used.
The policy is a victory for France and other countries that have demanded a “Buy European” approach to the continent’s defence investment push, amid fears over the long-term dependability of the US as a defence partner and supplier sparked by President Donald Trump.
At least 65 per cent of the cost of the products would need to be spent in the EU, Norway and Ukraine.
EU member states would not be able to spend the money on products “where there can be a control on the use or the destination of that weapon . . . It would be a real problem if equipment acquired by countries cannot be used because a third country would object,” one of the officials said.
Just to add, the references to Norway and Ukraine were deliberate because they are not in the EU. Also, I don’t think the requirement for third countries to commit to defence pacts with the EU is inherently bad, but it should be just that - a defence pact to meet the most pressing threat Europe faces. Making a defence pact conditional on the UK granting access to its fishing waters is moronic.
It’s up to the UK to decide which is more important.
That sounds a lot like extortion. The EU and Britain haven’t been on the best of terms for a while but we’re still undoubtedly allies. Plus I think this would be a relatively easy bridge to rebuild and if we won’t someone else will. We should try our best to stand united.
I understand. If you’d rather see it this way, it might be better put: getting a say in how the EU manages it’s military budget is the privilege of EU members (sovereignity). Outsiders need to play nice to get into this specific discussion and the EU has to be sure all scores are settled before anything may take place.