Photo that shows Donald Tusk, Polish Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen on a stage speaking into a microphone.
Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and Donald Tusk at the informal EU Leaders' retreat on defence in February 2025. | Photographer: Dati Bendo, © European Union, 2025 | CC BY 4.0

Europe’s Defence Dilemma: Rising Militarization Amidst Industrial Fragmentation and Weak Export Controls

The issue of arming Germany and the EU countries is currently dominating the headlines. The threat posed by Putin’s Russia and the uncertainty as to whether the USA under Trump will still stand by its security policy commitments within NATO have prompted the EU states to embark on a massive rearmament program. However, the EU Commission is currently setting the pace with the publication of the new White Paper and a series of defence industry programs. The discussion about the considerable arms expenditure obscures the focus on the fragmentation and competition among the European arms industry, the differences in threat analysis between the EU nation states, and the possible risks and problems of lowering the standards of German and European arms export policy.

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French president Macron giving a speech at the European parliament.
France, major player in the European defence industry, appears as an ambivalent partner. | Photo: European Parliament, flickr | CC BY 2.0

The French Paradox: Risks to European Defence Harmonisation and Arms Export Control

In his speech on Europe on 25 April 2024, President E. Macron reiterated France’s commitment to building a credible European strategic autonomy. Indeed, the country has one of the most important technological and industrial defence bases in the European Union. However, its often very nationalistic view of the European Union seems to hinder the harmonisation of a common defence strategy and the establishment of a rigorous arms export control system that guarantees the application of international humanitarian law (IHL).

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Airplane in front of an open gate and two people in blue work suits
The F-35 program: A global enterprise centered around an American aircraft. | Photo: Amit Agronov/IDF Spokesperson's Unit | CC BY-SA 3.0

Court Orders Dutch Government to halt the Export of F-35 Parts to Israel: Implications for the War in Gaza and Beyond

In a landmark ruling in mid-February, the Hague Court of Appeal ordered the Dutch government to stop exporting parts for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II to Israel, citing the risk of serious violations of international humanitarian law if the F-35 were used for airstrikes in Gaza. Although it seems unlikely that the court order will have any significant impact on Israeli air operations, it raises a number of legal and political challenges to the global F-35 program, the U.S. Department of Defense’s most ambitious and most expensive weapons program to date.

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