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‘Skilled workers wanted’: The defence sector struggles to find talent

The EU defence sector is increasingly struggling with finding workers with the skills needed to match the sector needs, industry representatives say – Why? What profiles are they looking for and what is the bloc doing to address the gaps?

Europe News

Rapid mobility of troops still 'problematic', say EU auditors

The EU's military mobility budget funded 95 projects in 21 member states, but it remains relatively modest compared to the real needs, Tony Murphy, president of the ECA, told reporters on Wednesday.

Europe News

Kallas: EU must spend more than 1% of GDP to 'prepare for the worst'

In 2024, member states collectively spent an average of 1.9% of GDP on defence, while Russia was spending 9%, Kaja Kallas told the audience of the European Defence Agency annual conference on Monday.

Europe News

Neutral Switzerland to join EU military mobility project

Switzerland will become a member of the EU's initiative to facilitate the mobilization of military forces and equipment, already including third countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Norway and Canada.

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Europe News

EU seeks to reduce defence dependency on US over longer term

The EU will vow a 'strong transatlantic partnership' on defence, a senior Commission official said on Monday, but dependence on foreign suppliers will inevitably have to be addressed in the long term.

Europe News

Polish EU presidency to focus on energy, defence and economic security

With Trump's arrival in the US White House, a new EU Commission and the ongoing war in Ukraine, security in all its possible dimensions will be the main priority of the next rotating EU presidency, said Poland's Ambassador Agnieszka Bartol.

Europe News

EU 'defence bonds' cheaper if national budgets frontloaded: Kubilius

Andrius Kubilius is expected to draw up a White Paper on European Defence within his first three months in office, including ways to finance what he has described as a "big bang" in military spending.

Europe News

EU countries commit to joint drone, missile and warship development

Defence spending is set to reach €326 billion (1.9% of EU GDP) in 2024, but despite the increase in military spending, national efforts alone are not enough for the EU to be ready for high-intensity warfare, said outgoing top diplomat and EDA chief Josep Borrell.

Europe News

Boost EU defence capabilities against Putin, future commissioner warns

Europe needs to be ready to defend itself, not because of Trump's victory in the US, but because of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the new commissioner for defence and space told MEPs during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

Europe News

EU urgently needs to act on defence, says landmark report

The EU must signal to the US that it is prepared to pay its way on miltary and civil preparedness, former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö says in a new report presented to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday.

Europe Decoded

The EU's new defence commissioner is open to eurobonds

Lithuanian commissioner hopeful Andrius Kubilius told Euronews he's urgently looking to raise billions - including via the controversial idea of joint borrowing.

Europe Decoded

Draghi report: EU's fragmented defence industry needs coordination

The EU defence market could face a supply crisis if member states do not align their defence spending and procurement plans, according to Draghi's report on competitiveness.

Europe News

Ukraine war bill and China tensions coming if Trump wins – Carl Bildt

Europe needs to be better prepared to defend itself, the former Swedish premier warned

Europe News

The EU-UK reset: What are the prospects for closer cooperation?

As the UK Labour government’s honeymoon period fades, it must now get down to the nitty-gritty of its EU reset.

Europe Decoded

Defence commissioner role needs industrial policy focus - analysts

The puzzle of who will get the EU's next top jobs is still unfolding, as is the reshuffling of portfolios for the coming mandate, which could include a European defence commissioner - but what powers could this figure get? Could it clash with the foreign policy chief?

Europe Decoded

Euroviews. The EU must foster deeper defence integration with accession countries

Today’s situation demands the EU to put foreign and defence policy alignment into the heart of the enlargement process, Laurence Boone and Nicu Popescu write.

Europe Decoded

Von der Leyen’s Defence Union dream won’t come easy – or cheap

Strengthening Europe's military may be an imperative in the coming years – but EU ambitions face multiple legal, political and financial hurdles.

Europe News

EU leaders to discuss breaking the defence bond taboo at summit

The highly divisive prospect of using so-called Eurobonds to finance efforts to ramp up the EU’s defence capacities will be floated as the bloc’s 27 leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday.

Europe News

EU should go on the cyber offensive in defence reform - Charles Michel

The European Union needs a bespoke "cyber force" to beef up its defensive capabilities, according to European Council chief Charles Michel.

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? How are EU funds being spent?

In this edition of Brussels, my love?, we discuss all things EU money with our special guest, the president of the European Court of Auditors, and we explore how EU conversations on spending have now moved into the field of defence.