Defense Readiness Remains Uncertain
The European Union’s ambition to establish a fully capable, independent defense structure by 2030 remains in doubt, according to a report published Thursday by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). While the bloc has significantly improved its military preparedness since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, auditors warn that persistent fragmentation and a continued reliance on the United States pose structural risks to the goal of strategic autonomy.
Marek Opioła, the ECA member who led the review, stated that reaching full defense readiness by the end of the decade is “challenging.” The report identifies industrial bottlenecks and the lack of deep cooperation between member states as primary inhibitors. “There are still major difficulties such as fragmented national systems,” Opioła noted, adding that the EU must sharply accelerate ammunition production to meet future high-intensity warfare requirements.
This report draws on information published by The Guardian.
Fragmentation and Industrial Bottlenecks
Between 2020 and 2025, EU member states increased their collective defense spending by 79%. Despite this influx of capital, the audit highlights a persistent risk of duplication in spending. A notable example of this institutional friction is the collapse of a €100bn joint fighter jet project between France and Germany, which stalled due to irreconcilable disputes over leadership and project control.
The report also underscores a tension between immediate security needs and the EU’s “Buy European” procurement policy. Between February 2022 and June 2023, 78% of defense acquisitions by EU governments were sourced from outside the bloc, with the United States accounting for 63% of these purchases. Auditors acknowledged that this reliance was an understandable short-term reaction to the urgent need for weaponry, but warned that long-term strategic autonomy requires a shift toward internal production.
The Ukraine Procurement Dilemma
The practical implications of these procurement rules are currently playing out in the context of support for Ukraine. Following intense Russian aerial campaigns throughout the summer, Kyiv has requested an exemption from “Buy European” rules to purchase US-made Patriot interceptors using a €90bn EU support loan.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that Ukraine has requested several billion euros specifically for air defense. A commission spokesperson stated that granting this request would require a formal derogation from current rules, which mandate that a majority of content in military purchases must be European. The final decision rests with the member states, highlighting the ongoing debate between immediate battlefield needs and the bloc’s long-term industrial policy goals.