Suchergebnisse

The Working Paper delves into the European Union's defense sector's evolution and current challenges, underscoring the urgency for strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty. It provides a historical backdrop of EU defense initiatives, highlighting the significant influence of recent geopolitical shifts, notably the conflict in Ukraine, on the EU's defense strategies and industrial landscape. The fragmentation of the European defense market, rising equipment costs, and hefty R&D expenses undermining competitiveness and innovation are identified as key challenges. The author focuses on the war in Ukraine as a catalyst for a consolidated defense equipment market and a surge in military expenditures and defense investments among EU nations. He scrutinizes EU's measures to foster innovation and integration in the defense market while grappling with national protectionism and divergent member state interests. Conclusively, the report advocates for an autonomous European defense capability as crucial for tackling both longstanding and emerging crises and threats. It underscores the imperative of a harmonized defense approach within the EU, highlighting its significance for the region's stability and security.

The first draft of the EU Strategic Compass for Security and Defence (SC) has been presented to the Member States on 15 November 2021. Based on the analysis of the major geopolitical shifts which are challenging Europe's vision and interests, the SC will provide a shared assessment of the EU's strategic environment; bring greater coherence and a common sense of purpose to actions in the area of security and defence that are already underway; set out new ways and means to improve the EU's collective ability to defend its security; and specify clear targets and milestones to measure progress. The creation of an EU Rapid Deployment Capacity will be one of its most visible elements. A special status Member State with limited military capabilities, Austria has valuably contributed to the process, but must remain vigilant to ensure that its specific interests are taken into account.