Europe is preparing for war – Finland got an important change in the Commission’s defense paper

On Wednesday, the European Commission announced a plan to re -arrange Europe by 2030.

The goal is that the EU will become a credible, independent player in defense by 2030. About EUR 800 billion is available for this.

The central goal of the White Book is also to continue support for Ukraine.

The reason for the hurry is that, according to the intelligence received by the Commission, Russia can attack Europe within 3 to 5 years.

On Wednesday, Russia’s threat to Europe was “manifested in Ukraine” on Wednesday.

“We need to create a deterrent to Putin, and that’s why implementing this paper is important,” said the Defense Commissioner Andrew Kubilius Wednesday at the Commission Bulletin.

Another reason for the hurry is the rapid deterioration of the geopolitical situation.

“US support for Europe cannot be considered secure,” said the Commission’s civil servant on Wednesday.

What’s new?

There is nothing new in the White Book, published on Wednesday. It describes what capabilities Europe lack when the United States has so far been responsible for the implementation of demanding military operations to defend Europe.

Also, the twenty -page presentation did not provide new funding means.

According to the Commission, the new white book is that for the first time the Commission combines funding, flagship projects, strengthening the defense industry and simplifying regulation.

It is also new to be a challenging snapshot and the underlining that increasing the cooperation between EU countries will achieve more Union countries.

In order to remedy the EU military capabilities, the White Book presents seven key projects for air and missile defense, artillery systems, ammunition and missiles, droons, military mobility, AI, quantum, cyber and electronic warfare, and strategic implementers such as fighting and critical infrastructure.

Finland and other EU border borders received a special mention in the white book on the importance of defending the eastern border of the EU, the so -called “eastern border plate”.

In the eastern border turtle project, some Member States could establish an integrated land border management mechanism against Russia and Belarus attacks and hybrid attacks.

The White Book states that the project may include a comprehensive combination of various physical obstacles, infrastructure development, and modern control systems.

Finnish wish

EUR 800 billion will be coming to Europe by 2030.

As a key means of financing, the Commission has previously proposed a SAFE funding equipment based on 150 billion co-debt, which can be granted a loan to Member States to support common defense investments.

The instrument enables joint procurement and joint development projects that focus on seven critical capabilities.

The Commission has proposed a second means of financing to apply the national exemption clause.

In practice, this means flexible in the so -called deficit rule, which could increase 1.5 % of GDP over four years of defense expenditure in Member States.

At EU level, the amount is estimated to be EUR 650 billion.

For Finland, it was worrying that in the earlier plans of the Commission, the deficit comparison year was 2023, when Finland invested heavily in defense.

In practice, 2023 would have meant that Finland could not afford to invest in defense expenditure as much as if the benchmark had been taken in previous years.

The White Book, published on Wednesday, has set a reference year in the wishes of Finland 2021.

Defense funding also includes the use of existing EU support equipment, such as the use of unused regional development money for defense.

Other financial methods include additional investment in the European Investment Bank and increasing the use of private capital to defense investments.

Defense Industry for War

According to the Commission, the European Defense Industry must move from the readiness of peace to war capacity.

The transition requires several action, such as increasing industrial capacity, for example through joint procurement and long order agreements.

It is also essential to deepen the European Common Market, simplifying regulation and increase research and development.

Joint projects funded by $ 150 billion loan money are only open to the defense industry in the EU countries and to third countries that have signed a defense agreement with the EU.

According to the Commission, there must be at least two applicants for the loan, and at least one must be EU country. For example, a partner country may be Ukraine, or another third country – under certain conditions.

In addition, at least 65 % of the cost of joint purchasing products must be used in the EU in Norway and Ukraine.

Favored European

The Commission proposes that if there are defense systems in joint projects that are not available for affordable EU solution, Member States should initiate the development of corresponding European technologies and talents.

The favored European approach will exclude the United States, the United Kingdom and Turkey, unless they sign a defense agreement with the EU separately.

On Wednesday, Kubilius reminded that the EU is ready to enter into new defense agreements.

“No one is excluded,” Kubilius said.

A high representative of European foreign and security policy Kaja Kallas In turn, he stressed that, for example, Great Britain is being prepared for a defense agreement, which he says will be completed in May.

Projects are also excluded from the $ 150 billion loan element, where the third country, such as the United States, has a “planning right” that may concern certain components or restrictions.

This restriction closes, for example, by the US Patriot Air and missile defense system and other US weapon systems for which they have restrictions on use.

EU Member States will eventually decide which European -wide defense projects will be launched and which form of implementation is selected for them.

According to Defense Commissioner Kubilius, the first projects could be approved by the summer.