EU military committee head: Europe's armies unprepared for potential crises

The chairman of the European Union's Military Committee, General Robert Brieger, who will soon leave his post, said that the role of the EU armed forces in ensuring security on the continent should be reconsidered. This is reported by the publication Euractiv.

In his farewell speech, Brieger stressed that despite the importance of cooperation with NATO, Europe cannot rely solely on support from the United States, especially as Washington is increasingly shifting its strategic focus to the Indo-Pacific region.

The General noted that the defence ministers of all 27 EU member states have come to a consensus: it is necessary to clearly define how Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union, according to which the countries undertake to assist each other in case of armed aggression, should be applied in practice.

According to him, strengthening the EU's defence capability requires not only increasing the number of weapons, but also improving their quality. Among the top priorities, he singled out the replenishment of artillery ammunition, strengthening air defence, developing anti-drone systems, improving military logistics and strengthening strategic intelligence.

Brieger warned that closing the existing gaps will take years, even if European leaders show political determination and the defence industry receives the necessary incentives.

It should be noted that a change of leadership in the EU military committee is already planned: Briger will be replaced by Irish Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, who will head the committee for a three-year term.

Amid concerns over former US President Donald Trump's statements about the possibility of ending US military support to Europe, the EU has promised to significantly increase defence spending and restore capabilities that have been weakened since the end of the Cold War.