How to guarantee Europe's security?
The conviction that Europe must take charge of its own defence is growing ever stronger. Russia's attack on Ukraine, the Kremlin's constant threats and the gradual but inexorable withdrawal of the US as a security guarantor are driving member states to rearm. Commentators take stock of Europe's defence capabilities.
Once the security shield is gone
The withdrawal of the US is finally forcing Europe to take responsibility for its military strategy, observes political scientist Viktor Taran in Facebook:
“Now that the concept of the US 'security shield' no longer exists, the Europeans are being forced to do what they have been postponing all these years: invest in their own long-range missile system, scale production and construct an autonomous defence architecture. Paradoxically, the weakened US presence could actually strengthen Europe in the mid-term – by forcing it to grow up strategically. The question is no longer whether Europe will develop its own version of the Tomahawk, but how quickly it can do it without relying on the US, as it has up to now.”
Solidarity instead of German hegemony
Rearmament along national lines is an absolute no-go, writes The Guardian:
“Tensions persist over the extent to which Berlin should buy European, and the implications of Germany – the EU's biggest economic power – also becoming its military hegemon. The way to defuse them is by making more resources available at an EU level through joint borrowing, ensuring that this money is used to boost European manufacturers, and deepening cross-border collaboration over how it is spent. ... [A] new model of European security for a new era must have solidarity and joint decision-making at its core.”
European cooperation reaching its limits
The controversy over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is an example of failed European collaboration, Expresso explains:
“When it comes to developing and building fighter jets, France is miles ahead of Germany. However, Berlin has greater investment capacity for a programme like FCAS and believes that this must be reflected in its industrial contribution to the programme. The result is an impasse between the two nations at a critical moment for Europe's future.”
Huge potential for Finland
At the end of April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed stepping up cooperation with partners on drone production. Etelä-Suomen Sanomat sees huge potential for Finland here:
“Partners supporting Ukraine are being offered a special deal covering the production and supply of drones, missiles, ammunition and other sought-after weapons and military equipment, as well as software, integration into partners' defence systems and sharing expertise. For its part, Ukraine is hoping to cooperate with its partner countries in the field of technology exchange. For Finland, this could potentially become a major new export. After all, we have the necessary know-how and experience in developing and producing high-tech products.”
Uncontrollable nuclear proliferation
Commentator Rafael Poch voices concern about global weapons proliferation and conflict on ctxt.es:
“Whereas the Cold War was a conflict between two nuclear powers, the current situation involves eight of the nine existing nuclear powers. And that number could even rise to 20: Japan and South Korea, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, as well as Germany, are toying with the idea, while Poland, the Baltic states, Greece, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium are prepared to station nuclear weapons on their territory. ... 20 nuclear powers, some enmeshed in religious fundamentalism and others embroiled in unresolved historical conflicts, are cause for considerable concern. … Times have never been more dangerous for humanity.”