Pevkur at the EU Defence Ministers’ Meeting: Defence industry critical to rapidly strengthening Europe’s readiness

Ahead of the European Union Defence Ministers' meeting in Brussels, Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur held bilateral meetings with European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Discussions focused on strengthening Europe's defence capabilities and the next steps in supporting Ukraine to reinforce its position in peace negotiations. Other key topics included raising defence spending across Europe, expanding defence industrial capacity, implementing the EU´s SAFE loan instrument, and advancing projects to digitalise military mobility.

The ministers' evening session focused on boosting Europe's defence readiness, sustaining military support for Ukraine, and strengthening defence industrial cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine. "Amid discussions on a new European security strategy, the priority now is to deliver on existing plans, including increasing defence readiness. To do so, it is essential that higher defence spending is matched by a corresponding growth in defence industrial capacity," Pevkur said.

Time-critical investments are needed above all in air defence, long-range strike capabilities, ammunition, and drone capabilities. "There are also strong expectations for the defence industry to deepen cooperation in capability development. A good example is the Eastern Flank Watch initiative to strengthen the protection of the eastern border, where industry's contribution in providing modern solutions that incorporate lessons learned from Ukraine is indispensable," Pevkur emphasised.

The meeting also addressed continued support for Ukraine through closer cooperation between European and Ukrainian defence industries. "We discussed how to better integrate Ukraine's defence industry into European initiatives. Estonia's defence industry is already active in Ukraine, and several companies have established joint ventures with local partners," the minister noted.

Tomorrow, the Minister of Defence will participate in the NATO Defence Ministers' meeting in the North Atlantic Council format, as well as in the NATO-Ukraine Council and the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.

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