Own Aircraft Carrier and Eurodome - EU Discusses New Defence Programme

EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, including defence, Thierry Breton believes that the bloc should improve its defence capabilities by building an aircraft carrier and a missile defence shield. The commissioner said this during his speech at the European Defence and Security Conference, Politico reports.

Breton proposed the creation of an "ambitious European defense investment program" that would facilitate joint production of ammunition, missiles, military naval vessels, and next-generation missile defense systems for EU member states.

He also suggested that the EU should urgently begin discussions on building a military vessel for patrolling seas, which could serve as a platform for naval aviation. Additionally, Breton proposed investing in the development of a "European potential for threat detection and identification" and a so-called "Eurodome" air defense system.

"Given the return of high-intensity conflict to the European continent, we have no other choice," emphasized Commissioner Breton.

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU initiated two short-term financing programs for the purchase of ammunition and missiles: the European Defense Immediate Procurement and Acquisition Fund (EDIRPA) with €300 million and the Accelerated Strategic Ammunition Procurement (ASAP) with €500 million. However, according to Commissioner Breton, this is insufficient.

Thierry Breton proposed merging these two funds with the European Defense Fund, amounting to €8 billion, which would also need to be strengthened.

"We need a program that crystallizes these ambitions to become a pioneer of a genuine defense industrial program in the future multi-annual financial structure of the EU budget," said Commissioner Breton.

In July of this year, the EU and the European Parliament reached an agreement to mobilize €500 million from the EU budget to increase the production of ammunition and missiles for Ukraine.

"Thanks to today's record-fast agreement on ASAP, the EU will strengthen and accelerate its own production of ammunition and missiles in Europe. This is another testament to the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine, the strengthening of the EU's defense technology and industrial base, and ultimately ensuring the long-term security and protection of EU citizens," emphasized Margarita Robles, Spain's Minister of Defense at the time.

This decision not only provided support to Ukraine but also financed the expansion of the EU's own industrial production capacities for ammunition and missiles, thereby enhancing European defense capabilities.