Munich The permanent chairman of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC), General Robert Brieger, has called for greater European defense efforts. The Europeans would have to “become more independent, more resilient and more autonomous,” the former Chief of Staff of the Austrian Armed Forces told the Handelsblatt.
The fact that Europe would have to fall back on the support of the USA even in the event of minor crises “cannot be maintained forever in view of the great political and economic weight of the European Union”.
However, it will take years for Europe to develop greater military independence. The EUMC is composed of the Chiefs of Defense of the Member States and is the highest military body in the Council.
General, you have set yourself the goal of building a proper EU defense culture. How about that?
By defense culture I understand common standards, common concepts, common structures and also a common understanding of the importance of the European military component as a whole. Unfortunately, it first took the war in Ukraine for the European states to think about their common security interests.
Nevertheless, there was excitement in Europe when Donald Trump was still in the White House and openly questioned the American role in NATO. What should Europeans learn from this?
They must become more independent, resilient and autonomous. Ultimately, it is about the common security and defense of Europe. The Atlantic alliance is of course a strong backup. But on the other hand, America will, in the long term, focus its interests on the Far East, as it is already doing.
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In view of the great political and economic weight of the European Union, the fact that Europe has to fall back on the support of the USA even in the event of minor crises cannot be maintained forever. Strengthening European defense forces also means strengthening the alliance. Ultimately, it is in the interest of both parties.
How defensible are the Europeans?
As a result of the disarmament measures after the end of the Cold War, they are no longer to the extent that would be necessary. The problem is generally recognized, but upgrading and retrofitting armed forces with modern systems cannot be organized in weeks or months. It will take years for Europe to develop greater military independence. And I hope that even after the end of the Ukraine war, the awareness of the need for a European security architecture will remain at the political and social level.
There are approaches to stronger European cooperation, for example in the European Sky Shield air defense initiative. How important are such endeavors?
It is a truism that defense of a single nation no longer works today, but must be organized cooperatively. Therefore, joint solutions should be sought in as many sectors as possible.
What are you thinking about?
This starts with uniform technical standards. However, the EU states should also quickly reduce the variety of military types and develop fewer systems, but in larger numbers.
But there are economic interests of the national defense industries. Germany builds tanks, France too…
I get it. The only question is: why don’t Germany and France and maybe a few other countries build a joint tank? The aim is to set up more joint projects which then give the national industries the opportunity to secure their sales through the manufacture of components. There are still many details to be clarified, but the topic must be on the agenda.
There are such projects, such as MGCS for the tank of the future.
Yes, but the initial negotiations do not make us overly optimistic, to put it mildly. You shouldn’t get too bogged down in the details and thus delay the overall project.
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What role does Germany play in stronger European defense efforts?
Naturally, due to its size, Germany, together with France, has a leading role in the development of this defense policy. And I am grateful that Germany plays a leading role in many common security and defense policy initiatives.
Germany initially hesitated with the delivery.
(Photo: dpa)
When it came to supporting Ukraine, Germany was long considered a brakeman. Now the federal government is supplying Leopard tanks, but many other states that had previously pressed are hesitating.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz made it clear here in Munich that the decision-making process took a certain amount of time. They didn’t want quick fixes. But after the decision to supply main battle tanks has been made, it is of course important that not only Germany keeps its commitments. In the interests of long-term support for Ukraine’s defense capability, other states that have battle tanks and have announced their support should now deliver quickly.
What is the military situation in Ukraine like?
It has become clear from the talks here that increased Russian attempts are expected in the spring to bring at least the entire Donbass under control. Thanks to their high morale and bravery, but also thanks to Western support, the Ukrainian armed forces achieved significant success and inflicted heavy losses on the Russians. The war has entered a phase of attrition.
What matters now, as Chancellor Scholz put it, is to maintain support for as long as necessary and with the appropriate intensity. If that succeeds, then there is hope that the Russian leadership will still see that this war cannot be won for them.
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