LARS FRØLUND and FIONA MURRAY
COPENHAGEN/BOSTON – Following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, Europe has recognized the need to strengthen its security and bolster its economic resilience. European defense industry leaders have called for more investment in the sector, and defense ministries are spending more on science and technology to ensure their countries’ readiness for the wars of today and tomorrow.
But it is not enough for each country to act alone. The European Union and the United Kingdom must approach technological innovation with the goal of building shared defense capabilities. Recent moves in this direction are promising: the German defense company Rheinmetall announced that it would open a new factory in the UK in 2027, as part of a landmark defense agreement between the two countries. The UK’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo, and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are collaborating to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft. Germany’s Helsing, which specializes in AI-based defense software, is working closely with Swedish defense giant Saab and plans to expanded its presence in the UK.
Focusing on collective, rather than national, interests would enable large economies of scale. Each country could build on its comparative advantages – both in technological innovation and military capabilities – and thus strengthen European resilience for decades to come. This would also ensure that Europe serves as a strong partner to the US, contributing its unique defense expertise and industrial base.
Advanced European technological capabilities also form the foundation of economic prosperity, as reflected in Mario Draghi’s recent report on the future of European competitiveness and the European Commission’s policy agenda. But national policies continue to focus on technological sovereignty, with the goal of strengthening and protecting domestic industry, at the expense of sharing resources and information with allies.
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