Financial Times According to the Nordic countries, Britain, France and Germany are preparing a plan on how to transfer financial and military responsibility within NATO to Europe within 5 to 10 years.
The purpose of the plan is to minimize the risk that the United States suddenly retreats its NATO obligations.
There is a growing uncertainty in Europe in the US NATO commitments. On Wednesday, the EU Commission Source admitted that “US support for Europe cannot be considered secure.”
The Trump Administration has also informed Europe that it must take responsibility for its own defense in the next few years.
In February, the US Minister of Defense, Pete Hegsethstated at the NATO Defense Ministry meeting that the United States assumes that within 10 to 15 years, European countries will bear the main responsibility for NATO’s conventional defense.
According to FT, plans for the change of power in the United States and European power are to be presented to the Americans before the NATO Summit in Hague in June.
No concrete plan
Prime minister Petteri Orpo (Kok) said on Thursday in Brussels that at a general level, he is prepared for the transfer of responsibility, but he does not recognize the preparation of a concrete plan reported by the FT.
“It is to be expected that during the spring, the United States will go through what the decline in their presence is and how it is replaced. In a way, these discussions have to be done, but I do not recognize it in that form – in general yes,” Orpo said at a news conference to Finnish media.
Kauppalehti asked Orpol, whether in Europe, that the Commander of NATO European troops would become a European General?
Currently NATO Commander of European Forces (Saceur) is a US General, Christopher G. Cavoli.
Orpo first replied that the person best suited to the job must be chosen as commander of European troops. After that, the Prime Minister continued that “if Europe will take the lion’s share of the responsibility of European defense in the future, then these types of solutions are somehow logical.”
Finnish wishes
Orpo has long demanded a plan that makes Europe strong and independent in 5 to 10 years.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister was pleased that Finland’s demands to strengthen European defense and to recognize Russia’s threat were taken into account in the White Book of the Commission on Wednesday.
The Commission’s defense plan aims to have a strong and credible defense by 2030.
According to Orpo, the central reform needs of the Commission’s White Book identify the strengthening of Finland’s important ground power, such as the need for artillery systems and ammunition and doon production.
Also read
Seven priorities to strengthen EU defense capabilities
Air and missile defense:
Europe needs an integrated multi-layered air and missile defense that protects against all kinds of air threats (cruise missiles, ballistic and hypersonal missiles, aircraft and unmanned ships and equipment).
Artillery systems:
Europe must provide advanced fire systems, including modern artillery and long -range missile systems designed to perform accurate long -range shocks on the walls.
Ammunition and missiles:
Europe must have a strategic warehouse for ammunition, missile and components, as well as a sufficient defense industry production capacity to ensure an up -to -date supplement of warehouses.
Drone and Reliable Drone Tell:
The EU needs unmanned systems, including air, land, surface and underwater vehicles that can be directed remotely or operating independently using advanced software and sensors and improves the abilities enabled by these technologies.
Military Mobility:
The EU must receive the entire Union -wide network of land routes, airports, ports and support cements and services, which allow seamless and rapid transportation of troops and military equipment between EU and partner countries.
Oh, quantum, cyber and electronic warfare:
Europe requires defense applications that use military artificial intelligence and quantum calculation. In addition, EU-wide advanced electronic systems designed to protect the electromagnetic spectrum for unobstructed use for land, air, space and navy and operations.
In addition, electronic systems are needed to disturb and prevent the opponent’s electromagnetic spectrum, to protect working in cybera space and to ensure the use of cyber abilities.
Strategic enablers and Critical Infra Protection:
These include strategic air transport and air refueling aircraft, intelligence and control, as well as marine and space protection, as well as safe communication resources and military fuel infrastructure.