LE BOURGET, France — According to Éric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, Europe currently procures over half of its military equipment from the United States, and transitioning away from this dependency will require significant time and political commitment. Béranger emphasized that while European nations possess the necessary resources—including advanced technology, industrial capabilities, and financial means—achieving greater autonomy from U.S. arms cannot occur rapidly. He stated, “This cannot happen overnight. And the time it will take to get there is really a matter of political will.”
The challenge of defense spending
The U.S. remains the primary supplier of arms to Europe, with popular offerings such as the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Patriot air defense systems, and Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jets leading the market. The extent of this reliance was starkly outlined last year by former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, who revealed in a comprehensive report that a staggering 78 percent of the €75 billion spent by EU nations on defense from June 2022 to June 2023 was directed outside the bloc, with 63 percent of that funding going to the U.S.
This dependency is particularly pronounced concerning critical systems like the F-35 fighter jet. Despite some countries, such as Portugal and Canada, expressing hesitations about adopting the aircraft, nations including Germany, Belgium, and the U.K. remain committed to the program.
Since the return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to office, concerns regarding Europe’s overreliance on American weaponry have surfaced, prompting European nations to enhance defense budgets and revitalize domestic industries. Béranger noted, “Trump’s fallout with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office earlier this year has deeply seeded doubt in the minds of the rest of the Western world, and in particular in Europe, on the reliability of the U.S. commitment to the NATO alliance.” He also acknowledged the existing inertia in changing these dynamics.
Towards greater sovereignty in defense procurement
MBDA stands as one of Europe’s foremost defense contractors, manufacturing a range of products, from ground-based air defense systems to air-to-air missiles. The company operates with independent divisions in France, the U.K., Italy, and Germany, and while most of its manufacturing focuses on European missiles, MBDA Deutschland is exploring the possibility of producing U.S. Patriot air defense missiles under license.
Earlier this month, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte indicated a dire need for European NATO allies to enhance their air defense capabilities significantly, which could lead to substantial contracts for both European manufacturers and U.S. competitors.
One notable advantage of MBDA’s offerings is that many of its products are not subject to the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which impose restrictions on the use and resale of American-made weapons. Béranger suggested that European countries, having previously been indifferent to these limitations, are beginning to reassess their implications. “Sovereignty has now become a topic of discussion,” he remarked.
Key procurement decisions anticipated in the coming months will test Europe’s resolve to reduce its dependence on U.S. military hardware. Denmark, for instance, is set to choose between the Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG air defense system—developed jointly by MBDA and Thales—and the U.S. Patriot system. The outcome of this decision will offer valuable insights into whether European nations are ready to embrace non-American alternatives.
Germany, too, presents a vital case for observation. Béranger expressed surprise at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s call for increased independence from U.S. influence during the campaign, noting that while Merz has since moderated his rhetoric, the potential for substantial investment in defense could signal a shift in strategy. “It doesn’t mean that Germany suddenly becomes totally autonomous overnight. It’s not possible in any case, even if they wanted to. But now that they are preparing to invest a lot of money [in defense], we will see how they invest it,” he concluded.