The European Commission of the European Union (EU) published a “joint white paper (WP) for the defense of European defense 2030” on March 19. At the same time, the WP clearly indicates that the EU does not reject the existing partnership with the United States or the NATO alliance. The United Kingdom also continues to be considered “an essential European ally”.
The WP intends to support the Member States to obtain complete defense preparation by 2030. The objective is to mobilize additional defense expenses of up to 1.5% of GDP. Based on the projections of progressive progression, defense investments could reach at least 800 billion euros over the next four years.
While Calling Upon Eu Member States to Strengthen Collective Defense, Handling in Joint Defense Procurements, Promote The Defense-Industrial Complex and Streamline Military Logistics, The WP Identifies Seven Priority Areas: Air and Missile Defense, Artillery Systems, Ammunition and Missiles, Including Stockpiles of Ammunition, Missiles and components, drones and counter-drone Systems, Military Mobility, AI, Quantum, Cyber and Electronic Warfare, and Strategic Facilitators and Critical Infrastructure Protection.
Beyond EU member states, the WP highlights the need to explore cooperation in defense-industrial with Indo-Pacific partners such as Japan, the Republic of Korea (Rok), Australia and New Zealand. More importantly, it plans to explore more “security and defense partnership” (SDP) with India.
The challenges described in the document cover terrorism and violent extremism, hybrid attacks, actions of international organized crime groups and cybercriminals networks. The security of supply chains for critical raw materials is part of the spectrum of concerns, as well as transnational challenges such as rapid technological change, migration and climate change. China is clearly identified as an authoritarian state aimed at asserting its authority and control in the economy and society in Europe.
The priority areas identified by the WP offer an opportunity for Indian defense industries to acquire or establish start-ups and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in Europe.
In the short term, the emphasis on WP is on the urgent replenishment of stocks of ammunition, weapons and military equipment of the Member States. This can offer India the opportunity to export to Europe manufactured in India Munition, which quickly emerges as a success of India atmanirbharta in manufacturing and defense exports. Efforts should also be made to explore the sales of competitive defense equipment such as advanced towed artillery cannons (ATAG), PINAKA multi-barrel rocket launcher and air defense missiles and radars that meet NATO standards.
Total defense exports of India for the year 2024-25 reached a record of Rs 23,622 crores (approximately 2.76 billion dollars). Obviously, a foundation was laid for a higher quantum of sales in the future.
Currently, India does not export arms and ammunition to Ukraine because of its neutral posture in the latter’s continuous conflict against Russia. Europeans using objects of defense of Indian origin against Russia in the future are similar to China or Pakistan using Russian defense equipment against India.
The objective in WP on critical and fundamental technologies (AI, Quantum, Bio and Hypersonic) and their classification as a double use with economic and military implications offers a range of India for collaboration with EU member states. The sharing of EU military mobility corridors, space assets and services with Ukraine is considered to be an integral part of the latter’s defense.
Cooperation with Ukraine is considered a bidirectional process in which the EU, while helping to strengthen the defense of Ukraine, would seek to benefit from “the very innovative and flourishing defense industry of the latter”, in particular in sectors such as AI and drones.
The key lies in Indian companies anchored at the start of the EU and Ukraine Defense Ecosystem, during the process of their internal integration and the harmonization of the regulatory framework.
While the EU goes to higher levels of excellence in innovation and R&D, India should explore opportunities for acquisitions and joint research in defense technologies. India should study closely the evolutionary EU model and adopt best practices to improve its own roadmap to Atmanirbharta in air mobility, in particular the development of manufacturing and maintenance of national transport aircraft and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).
The Omnibus defense package of the EU offers India a chance to collaborate and engage the EU in the cross certification of defense products to create the basis of a future market. There could be new opportunities for space and cybersecurity cooperation. Employment possibilities for qualified human resources from India may also increase. India should also engage in migration and mobility problems in the context of the ALE in the course of negotiations.
EU harmonization of defense purchase rules and procedures could cause changes in export regulations. The main European producers of defense equipment could find their capacities involved in the national needs of the “Rearm Europe” plan. India should examine the impact, if necessary, on its supply chains emanating from Europe.
India could explore the possibility of joining the EU defense innovation scheme (EUDIS), resulting from its experience in initiatives such as industry with the United States. Engineering, supply and construction companies (EPC) of India should explore the potential for obtaining contracts for the expansion of EU multimodal corridors, including ports and terminals.
The emergence of the EU “Defense Union” will mark an update of all European defense and security structures. The rapid reissue of Europe is considered a means of guaranteeing its future against the strategic threat posed by Russia, reaffirming the strategic autonomy of Europe by ensuring and in Ukraine, while strengthening the contributions of the defense of the EU to the transatlantic partnership. As a global world power and a strategically autonomous pole, India should bet big on this partnership.
The writer is the managing director of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis; The views expressed are personal
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