During a recent debate organized by EURACTIV.cz, Jan Jireš, senior director of the Defence Policy and Strategy Section of the Czech Ministry of Defence, urged Western allies to provide Ukraine with more weapons and improve its military capacities as they can expect a large-scale and intensive military conflict. Jireš emphasized that the main goal of both the EU and NATO in the coming months and years should be to prepare for a large-scale, prolonged, and extremely material-intensive military conflict.

However, in recent years, Europe has invested very little in defense, admitted Francisco Casalduero, the Defence Development Programme project manager at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS). This applies to the overall volume of investments and the development of crucial new technologies. According to Casalduero, this means that common European defense is non-existent, and it is now a priority for the European Commission.

Despite this, representatives of the Czech defense industry are worried that the EU will just stick to words and not actions. Kristýna Helm, deputy director of the Czech Association of Defence and Security Industry, noted that the sector faces great demand and is “sold out for a decade ahead,” but this demand mainly comes from third countries. Helm explained that, for Czech companies, the European market accounts for only 30% of customers, while the rest goes abroad.

Jireš pointed out that the main reason for the unwillingness of member states to provide the European defense industry with contracts that are essential to its proper functioning and economic sustainability. He stressed that European countries should increase and speed up the production of defense equipment, and member states should support the European defense industry by placing more contracts with them.

In summary, the debate emphasized the need for Europe to invest more in defense and to support the European defense industry. The speakers urged Western allies to provide Ukraine with more weapons and improve its military capacities to prepare for a large-scale and intensive military conflict. The lack of investments in defense and the development of new technologies was also highlighted as a major issue, and the speakers called for action to support the European defense industry. The debate serves as a reminder that Europe needs to prioritize defense and take concrete steps to ensure its security and the security of its allies.

Article by Prague Forum