BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - According to the European Commission, the EU must become significantly less dependent on partners such as the USA when it comes to the procurement of armaments such as fighter jets, drones or ammunition. According to a proposal by the authority, the member states should set themselves the target of spending at least 50 percent of the funds earmarked for the procurement of armaments on the European internal market by 2030. According to EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, almost 80 percent of funds currently flow to countries outside the EU and 60 percent to the USA alone. "This is no longer sustainable, if it ever was."

The intention to strengthen the European arms industry is also a consequence of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. This has highlighted the military and industrial deficits of the Europeans, it says. A future focus should therefore be on expanding the production of drones.

The Commission's proposals also include financial incentives. If EU countries join forces in armaments projects, they should be relieved of the additional costs. The aim is to procure 40 percent of equipment in cooperation by 2030. The Commission initially wants to mobilize 1.5 billion euros from the EU budget for the plans.

Not only the EU, but also Ukraine is set to benefit from the Commission's plans. It is to be considered as a member state, so to speak, in order to procure military equipment together with other EU member states.

The governments of the member states must now discuss the Commission's proposals. Whether they will receive support is still unclear./svv/DP/stw