«OR strengthening the European defense industrial base is a key element of Europe’s ability to act when required, while remaining firmly focused on transatlantic cooperation within NATO” says in “Vima” o Camille Gransecretary general of the European Aerospace, Defense and Security Industries Association (ASD) in Brussels, which represents 4,000 European companies.
Gran, a former NATO assistant secretary-general (2016-22), responsible for the Alliance’s defense investments, explains the challenges and prospects for European defense and its ability to meet the new demands created in a period of heightened geopolitical tensions. Before taking over as head of ASD last September, he was a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (2022-25) specializing in European defense and the long-term implications of the war in Ukraine for European security.
Can Europe realistically achieve strategic autonomy in military equipment and defense production? Is the European defense industry able to cope as transatlantic relations are not as stable as in the past?
“The European defense industry has the technological capabilities and industrial base to ramp up production and rapidly deliver the advanced military capabilities we need. What is essential, however, is sustained demand. Long-term and multi-year orders allow companies to invest in production capacity, expand supply chains and strengthen the skilled workforce needed for large-scale production. In recent years, the European defense industry has already demonstrated its ability to significantly increase production in several sectors. With greater coordination between member states, more joint procurement and better harmonization of requirements, Europe could address existing bottlenecks, further improve efficiency and speed up deliveries.”
How does the war in Iran and the latest developments in the Middle East affect Europe’s overall defense and security strategy?
“Firstly they demonstrate how complex and interconnected Europe’s security environment has become. We are in a time of geopolitical crises in and around Europe, and this is not going away. From an industrial perspective, such crises highlight the importance of defense readiness and the availability of core military capabilities. Recent conflicts have made clear the need for a wide range of means, including air and missile defense systems, naval and air capabilities, as well as unmanned systems and technologies to counter them. Ensuring that these capabilities can be produced and delivered in sufficient quantities is a central challenge. At the same time, periods of crisis often lead to very high global demand for defense equipment. In such cases, the key issue is often not the supply chains themselves but the availability of supply, as states reasonably prioritize their own operational needs. This reinforces the importance for Europe to maintain a strong and competitive European defense technological and industrial base in order to reduce its dependence on others.”
What could a French “nuclear umbrella” – as proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron – mean for Europe?
“The debate around a possible European dimension of nuclear deterrence reflects more general debates about deterrence and strategic responsibility in Europe. The French president’s recent proposal for a “forward deterrence”, which would complement – but not replace – NATO’s extended deterrence framework, is an important contribution to this debate. This is a significant development in French nuclear strategy, as France says it is ready to work closely with a small group of close allies (including Greece) in the deterrent mission, but has not shared more about that decision per se. This proposal, which will be further developed, can be a useful addition to the traditional US extended deterrence arrangements in the framework of NATO, contributing to the security of the continent. More broadly, this all highlights the importance of having credible European defense capabilities and continuing investment in Europe’s defense and its industrial and technological base.”
How critical has the space sector – particularly satellite communications – become in modern warfare?
“Space is now a critical operational domain for modern military operations. In particular, satellite communications, navigation systems, and Earth observation capabilities now play a critical role in command and control, intelligence gathering, target detection, and situational awareness. Recent conflicts have clearly demonstrated the importance, at the operational level, of secure and resilient space services. Protecting space infrastructures and ensuring their resilience against interruptions or interference is therefore becoming increasingly important. And of course, strengthening Europe’s space capabilities and the industrial ecosystem that supports them is therefore an important strategic priority for the coming years.”
Drones seem to be taking center stage on the battlefield. Is Europe adapting to this new reality, technologically and strategically?
“It is a fact that recent conflicts have highlighted the ever-increasing importance of unmanned systems and counter-drone technologies in modern warfare. Drones are now used in a wide range of military activities, including surveillance, reconnaissance, target detection and precision strikes. At the same time, they are only one element of a larger set of capabilities that shape the battlefield. Modern armed forces rely on the integration of multiple systems – manned and unmanned, air and missile defense, intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, and space services – working together. However, Europe has strong technological capabilities in the field of unmanned systems. However, going forward, faster procurement cycles, increased production and stronger innovation ecosystems will be key factors for European armed forces to be able to fully adapt to evolving operational requirements.”
