In a stark warning to the European Union, Andrius Kubilius has declared that the bloc must urgently outproduce Russia in military hardware to close a gaping security gap. He highlighted Russia’s superior output in missiles, artillery, and vehicles, demanding immediate action on defense and space strategies amid escalating global threats.
This urgent call comes as Europe grapples with a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, where Russia’s military production far outpaces the EU’s. Kubilius, speaking before a key European Parliament committee, painted a dire picture of the numbers: Russia churns out 1,100 cruise missiles annually compared to the EU’s mere 300, and 900 ballistic missiles against Europe’s zero. These figures underscore a critical imbalance that could undermine deterrence efforts.
The former Lithuanian prime minister didn’t mince words, stressing that without swift changes, Europe risks falling further behind. He pointed to practical obstacles hampering EU defense industries, such as the lack of long-term contracts and bureaucratic red 𝓉𝒶𝓅𝑒 that delays production expansions by years. “We need to outpace Russia, not just match it,“ Kubilius asserted, urging member states to prioritize these issues.
At the heart of his message is the Defense Readiness Omnibus, a legislative package aimed at streamlining regulations and cutting through red 𝓉𝒶𝓅𝑒. Kubilius warned that industries are waiting up to four years for permits, a delay that could prove catastrophic in turbulent times. “We cannot afford to slow this down,“ he said, calling for a swift agreement to empower EU factories to scale up production rapidly.
This push for urgency extends beyond ground forces, touching on Europe’s growing dependence on American strategic enablers. Kubilius noted that the U.S. is stepping back from its primary role in European defense, leaving the continent to shoulder more responsibility. He emphasized the need to develop indigenous capabilities in areas like space intelligence, satellite communications, and airlift to reduce this vulnerability.
Space programs are emerging as a cornerstone of this strategy, with Kubilius advocating for robust EU initiatives to protect assets and foster innovation. He praised the European Parliament’s draft report on the European Space Act, which aims to safeguard against space debris and build a single market for space technologies. “Our space ecosystem must be competitive and resilient,“ he urged, highlighting programs like Galileo for navigation and Copernicus for observation.
Looking ahead, Kubilius spotlighted the European Competitiveness Fund as a vital financial tool, proposing a minimum of 125 billion euros to bolster defense and space efforts. This fund would incentivize member states to collaborate, preventing fragmentation and ensuring investments address collective shortcomings. He warned that without it, national efforts might exacerbate divisions rather than strengthen the bloc.
In a bold move, Kubilius announced two new proposals to accelerate innovation. The first, dubbed Agile, targets small and medium enterprises to deliver cutting-edge defense technologies quickly, with funding decisions in just four months. This initiative focuses on urgent operational needs, offering affordable, scalable solutions to counter immediate threats from Russia.
The second proposal involves the AUSP regulation, transforming the EU Agency for the Space Programme into a more independent entity. This change would free it from multiannual financial framework cycles, allowing it to tackle emerging challenges like space situational awareness and cybersecurity. Kubilius stressed that these steps are essential for maintaining technological sovereignty and adapting to unforeseen crises.
As Europe confronts these realities, Kubilius’s speech underscores the need for unity and resolve. He reflected on the progress made in the past year, claiming more has been achieved for defense than in the previous decade. Yet, he cautioned that bigger challenges loom, from Russian aggression to global instability, demanding that the EU act decisively.
The implications are profound: failure to ramp up production and innovation could leave Europe 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓭 in an increasingly volatile world. Kubilius’s message resonates as a wake-up call, urging lawmakers and industries to prioritize speed and collaboration. With time of the essence, the EU must now translate words into action to secure its future.
In detailing these plans, Kubilius highlighted the role of startups and SMEs in driving defense transformation, ensuring they have access to financing and support. He pointed to the fund’s flexibility, allowing rapid responses to sudden threats, which could prove pivotal in outmaneuvering adversaries like Russia.
Experts and officials are already reacting, with some praising the proposals as a necessary evolution in EU policy. The European Parliament’s backing for increased budgets signals a growing consensus on the need for a stronger defense posture.
As negotiations intensify, the pressure mounts for member states to align on these initiatives. Kubilius’s warnings serve as a reminder that hesitation could embolden foes and weaken the bloc’s strategic position.
The broader context includes ongoing conflicts that highlight Europe’s vulnerabilities, making Kubilius’s speech a timely intervention. His call to “deliver together“ echoes through corridors of power, galvanizing efforts to bridge the security gap.
In essence, this is not just about numbers or hardware; it’s about the EU’s survival in a multipolar world. Kubilius’s urgent tone has set the stage for what could be a defining moment in European defense history.
With these developments unfolding, the EU stands at a crossroads, where bold decisions today will shape tomorrow’s security landscape. The race to outproduce Russia is on, and the stakes have never been higher.