Fresh money for defence

The EPP Group supports the European Commission's initiative to increase the ammunition production capacity of the European defence industry presented today (the ‘ASAP package’), but criticises the possibility of the Commission to issue fines against European companies. Leading EPP Group MEPs also regret that the proposed €500 million is taken only from existing EU financial programmes.

"While the urgency to ramp up production of ammunition here and now is obvious, we also need to make sure that our common European efforts in procuring defence equipment will effectively strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. Without a stronger industrial defence base, which would heavily rely on research, innovation and future common investments, we cannot assure a higher degree of autonomy and security in Europe. This initiative needs to be a first step in addressing the historic and structural shortage of ammunition in Europe. Furthermore, we would have hoped for higher ambitions when it comes to mobilising fresh money instead of just taking the money from existing EU programmes. The Member States have together and individually already shown a willingness to pay for extra defence equipment for Ukraine", said Christian Ehler MEP, EPP Group Spokesman in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee. "Now they should put their money where their mouth is."

"This is an important signal that only together can we master the so-called ‘Zeitenwende’, an historical turning-point in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine. This is why we need to bundle measures at the European level on the one hand, but also adapt our regulatory framework to the crisis on the other hand. It cannot be right that this package of measures comes at the expense of already underfunded instruments such as the European Defence Fund or the envisaged instrument to promote joint procurement. Instead of weakening the effectiveness of other instruments through redistribution, we urgently need to rethink our priorities and adapt to the needs of the crisis”, added Michael Gahler MEP, who leads the EPP Group in the Foreign Affairs Committee.