In a significant move towards enhancing European security, 18 EU member states have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on air and missile defence systems. This initiative aims to pool resources and share the costs of developing cutting-edge defence technologies, marking a strategic step in boosting the EU’s military capabilities.
Air and missile defence have now become key priorities for military cooperation within the European Union. As tensions rise in Europe, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, strengthening these defence capabilities has become increasingly urgent.
“We’re focusing on all capabilities, including anti-missile systems and anti-drone technologies,” explained Paweł Ksawery Zalewski, Polish Secretary of State for National Defence. “Having air superiority is crucial; it can define the outcome of a conflict.”
The cooperation centers primarily on air and missile defence, which has drawn significant interest from European capitals. However, the European Defence Agency (EDA) also identified three additional strategic areas for collaboration: electronic warfare, floating munitions, and European warships. The bloc’s current weakness lies in air and missile defence, with many member states lacking fully operational systems, though the necessary technologies are available.
“As of now, what we’re lacking are ready-to-deploy air defence systems,” Zalewski noted. “The technology exists; we need to focus on deploying it.”
The EDA emphasized that this collaborative effort offers both strategic and industrial benefits for all EU member states. Integrating missile defence systems is a broad and complex task, but one that promises to strengthen both military forces and the European technology base.
“Integrated missile defence encompasses a wide range of activities,” said Stefano Cont, Director of Capability, Armaments, and Planning at the EDA. “These capabilities support a variety of military forces and industrial projects, making them critical to Europe’s security and technological advancement.”
Cont also highlighted that the project would spur innovation, benefiting not only large industries but also small and medium-sized enterprises and research institutions. “This initiative brings a significant boost to our economy,” he added.
A Broader Approach to Security
The EDA pointed out that the project is not solely focused on military engagement. It also encompasses risk monitoring and analysis through the use of satellites, communication technologies, artificial intelligence, and space-based sensors. These technologies will help detect potential threats as early as possible, providing critical early warning capabilities.
“We must increase the quantity and capabilities of our systems to detect threats sooner and respond faster,” Cont stressed. “We also need to maintain a technological edge to stay ahead of emerging threats.”
The EU is also working to avoid redundancy in research and development, ensuring that member states share both the financial burden and the results of their efforts.
Despite the 30% increase in military expenditure across EU member states since 2021—driven largely by the war in Ukraine—the EDA’s 2024 report warns that national spending alone is insufficient to fully prepare Europe for high-intensity conflicts. Member states are expected to spend €326 billion on defence in 2024, or 1.9% of the EU’s GDP, but more coordinated efforts are needed to bolster the EU’s overall defence posture.
