European elections 2024: Conservatives in favour of strengthening the European defence industry

The Conservative and Reformists Group (ECR) put security in second place in their 10-point programme. It is also an important element of their document defining the priorities for the 2024-2029 mandate.

The ECR says it wants to “lead efforts to strengthen” the defence industry and “ensure our security”.

The group is calling for a “change in the scale and speed with which the Defence Technological and Industrial Base (DTIB) can develop and produce the full range of military capabilities”. This means, they said, ensuring that the essential suppliers of Europeans’ security (i.e. industry and armed forces) “are no longer ignored by Brussels”.

When it comes to mobilising financial resources, they also feel that the European dimension is the most appropriate. “The EU is well placed to do this, adding value by pooling efforts, coordinating and engaging in joint projects”.

The same applies to research and development, as well as joint procurement. The group considers that it has been at the “forefront” of schemes such as the European Defence Fund (EDF).

However, the manifesto recalls a central position of the Conservative group: “defence and military preparedness should remain the prerogative of the Member States”. They therefore also underline their doubts surrounding the idea of a ‘defence union at EU level’.

The group says it has denounced Putin’s regime “for more than a decade” and calls for continued military support for Ukraine.

When it comes to support to Kyiv, “we will continue to support Ukraine and to put pressure on EU institutions, member states and our allies to continue to send equipment, weapons, ammunition and financial aid”.

They also call for “even stronger” sanctions against Russia and for wider support for ‘other peoples in the region still living in fear and oppression, like the people of Belarus’.

As for the NATO military alliance, the ECR wants to “promote” its transformation, “strengthen the transatlantic link” and “improve the capabilities of the armed forces”. To strengthen cooperation between the EU and NATO, the political group advocates joint initiatives, increased defence budgets and the development of capabilities.

Even if the Conservatives give the European Union a predominant role in research, development, coordination of joint projects and support for Ukraine, they are clear: alongside governments, it is NATO that must remain the “primary security actor”.

Read the Priorities of the ECR group.