EU's von der Leyen proposes €800 billion defense plan - eviltoast
EU's von der Leyen proposes €800 billion defense plan – DW – 03/04/2025
www.dw.com
The European Commission president says increasing defense spending is necessary in "an era of rearmament." A European summit on defense and Ukraine is planned this week amid tense transatlantic relations.
    • naeap@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      5·
      8 hours ago

      Not sure, if we can completely replace US weapons, including jets and so on, already.

      I guess, that much will be spend at European companies, but I’m pretty sure a bulk will go the the USA military industry
      and maybe also other countries - I’m not really up-to-date with current military capabilities and production facilities in Europe or worldwide

      Maybe someone more knowledgeable could chime in

      • perestroika@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        2 hours ago

        To my understanding, EU countries aren’t in a shortage of aircraft - their air power is enough to match Russia. However, they are in a shortage of bombs to drop and missiles to fire.

        They’re also in a shortage of artillery and rocket artillery and air defense.

        As for the industry that can be scaled up fastest (drones), everyone is in a shortage of them. Fortunately there is one country in Europe that’s been doing absolutely everything to scale up their production. So much that it currently out-produces the US, and maybe out-produces both the US and the EU. I’m fairly certain that this country is willing to help on the matter (it’s called Ukraine).

      • Wronnay@lemmy.mlEnglish
        2·
        2 hours ago

        Jets? The Eurofighter is made by European companies only.

        Especially France has some leading Jet / Air combat companies.

        Italys Leonardo is leading for combat Helicopters

        For ground forces Germans Rheinmetall produces some good tanks.

        The UK is also not too weak but it’s ties to the US are a bit too strong… (BAE Systems gets tons of money from the US and I personally wouldn’t be too sure if they would choose the UK over the US if they had to)

        • naeap@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          2·
          4 hours ago

          Yeah, exactly!

          I don’t get how we can rely on foreign unlock codes (or kill switches if it’s the other way around), when it comes to our own countries.

          That is just so much bullshit…