The European Union is taking new steps to improve its mutual defence strategy. Top military officials from EU countries met recently and discussed ways to make Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty stronger and more practical. This clause, which has been active since 2009, says that all EU countries must help any member that is under attack. It is similar to NATO’s Article 5, which promises collective defence, but many experts say the EU’s clause is weaker.
General Robert Brieger, the chairman of the EU Military Committee, said the time has come for the EU to clearly define how Article 42.7 should work. He explained that Europe needs to rethink its defence strategy, especially as the United States focuses more on the Asia-Pacific region. Brieger made these comments during a high-level meeting of EU defence leaders in Brussels on Thursday.
Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union is the bloc’s mutual defence clause. It says that if a country in the EU is attacked, the other countries must help. This help can include military support. However, this clause has only been used once. That was in 2015, after the terrorist attacks in Paris. Even then, the help was limited and mostly symbolic.
Experts say Article 42.7 is not as strong as NATO’s Article 5. One reason is that many EU countries are also members of NATO, and NATO remains the main defence alliance in Europe. Because of this, EU countries often wait for NATO to act first. Brieger says this needs to change. He wants the EU to have a clear plan that works with NATO, not just waits for it.
Focus on Europe’s Own Defence
General Brieger also said that the EU must focus more on defending its own land. Right now, most EU defence missions are about crisis management in other parts of the world. But with new threats in Europe, such as the war in Ukraine and growing tension with Russia, the EU must be ready to defend its own borders.
He said Europe should not always rely on the United States for protection. Instead, EU countries should work together to move troops faster and protect important infrastructure like railways, bridges, and power plants. He also pointed out that the EU can act not just in military ways, but also through politics and economics. This could make the EU’s defence efforts even more powerful.
Big Plans for Defence Spending
The European Commission is also getting serious about defence. In March, it released a White Paper on European Security. This plan includes major goals like building better air and missile defences, using drones, improving cyber defence, and creating electronic warfare systems. These are all areas where the EU wants to be more independent from outside countries, especially non-EU suppliers.
To do this, the EU plans to lend up to €150 billion to countries that buy military equipment made in Europe. But to get the money, countries must agree to place joint orders and focus on priority areas. The goal is to make the EU stronger and more united in its defence. Talks about this funding tool should finish by the end of this month. If all goes well, the first loans will be made before the end of the year.
The EU hopes these efforts will lead to €800 billion in defence investments by 2028. At the next EU summit in June, leaders are expected to choose several flagship defence projects that all countries will support together. This will happen just after a NATO meeting in The Hague, where NATO is likely to announce new defence spending goals.
A Clear Message from Europe
General Brieger had a clear message for Europe: “We need to act, not just talk.” He said that security requires more than good ideas. It needs real unity, real strength, and real ability to act. As the world changes and new threats arise, the EU must be ready.
This is especially important with growing pressure on Europe’s borders and rising cyber threats. For example, cyberattacks against major institutions and companies have been on the rise in recent years. Some attacks are believed to come from state-backed groups in countries like Russia and China. These threats show that defence today means more than just soldiers and tanks. It also means protecting digital systems, supply chains, and even the economy.
By working together, EU countries hope to build a defence system that is fast, smart, and strong. This will not only help protect Europe but also show the world that the EU is ready to stand on its own.