EU presents plans to upgrade European defence sector

The European Union Wednesday unveiled plans to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of Europe's defence and security sector. "We will not have the weight we need in the world without a common defence policy. To support it, we need to strengthen our defence and security sector," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told a press conference presenting the Action Plan. He noted that the current economic crisis has hit hard the defence industry which is of strategic importance for Europe as a whole. It is also a major industrial sector with a turnover of 96 billion euro in 2012, employing about 400,000 people and generating up to another 960,000 indirect jobs. EU defence spending declined from 251 billion euro in 2001 to 194 billion euro in 2010. At the same time defence budgets in developing countries like Brazil, India and China increased significantly, he noted. The plan foresees measures to strengthen the internal European market for defence, to promote a more competitive defence industry and to foster synergies between civil and military research. It also explores options in other areas such as energy, space and dual-use capabilities. The Action Plan presented today will be discussed by EU leaders during their summit meeting in December. Asked by a reporter if he intends to become the next Secretary-General of NATO when the post becomes vacant next year, Barros replied that the plan "has nothing to do with my future". "Any kind of linkage between this communication and what I can or not do in future is simply speculation. Our goal is political," he stressed. Speaking at the joint press conference EU Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani, said "there are some severe challenges facing Europe's defence industry and industrial base which is being undermined by the lack of new programmes". "If Europe is to retain the industrial capability to meet our future military capability needs, and so underpin a credible Common Security and Defence Policy , concerted European action needs to be taken," he underlined. On his part, EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier said "to make this Common Security and Defence Policy effective, we must also strengthen our defence industries and markets. " "In particular in times of budget constraints, this necessitates more cooperation and integration in order to become more efficient," he added.