NATO 3.0 Debate: Europe Must Be Ready to Replace Key US Military Capabilities! Kubilius Warns EU

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius said Europe must become significantly stronger in defence as NATO adapts to a changing global security environment. Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum during the panel “NATO 3.0: Keeping the Americans In, the Russians Out, and the EU Up,” Kubilius said Europe needs stronger military capabilities while maintaining the United States’ role in NATO and its nuclear umbrella. He said Europe faces a “double task”: rapidly meeting NATO capability targets while simultaneously strengthening its own fragmented defence-industrial base. Kubilius highlighted European defence projects covering drone defence, the eastern flank, air and missile defence, maritime security and a European space shield. “Making Europe stronger will make NATO stronger.” He also called for battle-tested Ukrainian military and industrial capabilities to be integrated more closely with Europe’s own defence system. Turning to space, Kubilius warned that Europe must prepare for a scenario in which the United States shifts more resources toward the Indo-Pacific. “Europe needs to take responsibility into our own hands.” He said Europe must be ready to replace strategic enablers currently provided by the United States, including space capabilities, and highlighted the development of IRIS² secure satellite communications and new European observation capabilities. Kubilius said these investments are essential if Europe is to be ready for what he called both “NATO 3.0” and “Europe 3.0.” #eudebates #AndriusKubilius #NATO #EuropeanDefence #WarsawSecurityForum