site.btaEU Defence Commissioner Makes Case for Strengthening Europe's Own Defence Capabilities, Warns of Risk of Possible Russian Aggression, Ballistic Missile Attacks from Iran

Speaking at an event in Brussels organized by Forum Europe, European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius made a case for strengthening European defence and warned of risks for Europe from a Russian attack and Iranian ballistic missiles. He said that Russia is prepared to use between 7 and 9 million drones this year, and also that the war in Iran "can hit us not only with increasing energy prices, but also with ballistic missile attacks up to 3000 kilometres in range".

Kubilius noted that last week NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted the need to increase Europe’s air-defence capabilities fourfold. The commissioner added that in just the first days of the strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent response with ballistic missiles and drones, the number of air-defence missiles required was roughly equivalent to what the United States produces in an entire year.

The EU needs independent European missile production. To ensure its security, it must be strong and independent, the commissioner said. Europe must be able to deter threats and invest in the protection of democracy, territory and our way of life, he added.

He further argued that "we need European strategic enablers in order to replace American ones; and a European Rapid Reaction Force (or European Army), to replace the 100,000 strong American “Rapid Reaction” force in Europe".

"Our transatlantic partners are shifting towards the Indo-Pacific. They are asking for Europeans to take responsibility for conventional defence and peace in Europe. We have no rational reasons to disagree with such a request," he also said.

For now, there is no peace in Ukraine on the horizon, the Commissioner said, citing research indicating that a Ukrainian defeat in the war would cost Europe twice as much as continuing to provide support.

He also argued that Europe’s decision-making mechanisms no longer match the pace of changes in the world.

According to Kubilius, Russia’s armed forces are today stronger than they were before the invasion of Ukraine. "If Russia attacks us, EU Member States will face a Russian battle tested army,  much stronger than in 2022, able to use almost 10 million drones."