What we need is a European Arms Commissioner – POLITICO

Vaccine procurement programs are often cited as a possible example. During the coronavirus pandemic, EU member states have transferred sovereignty over vaccine purchases to the European Commission. The European Commission was then given a budget and tasked with procurement, allowing the EU to quickly secure large quantities of vaccines and distribute them equitably. It also strengthened the bloc’s bargaining power and prevented individual members from making purchases at the expense of others.

However, whether such a model is appropriate and feasible for defense remains an important question. It took great courage to put the health of one’s people in the hands of a committee, a transfer of true sovereignty. And in the case of armaments, it is likely to be even more difficult. The relationship between weapons manufacturers and governments is very close and has become even closer over the decades.

Therefore, it may be more appropriate to compare it to a banking system. The relationship between governments and banks has also grown over the centuries. Banking is a core area of ​​national sovereignty, and the link between finance and government debt is extremely important.

Still, the EU decided to create a banking union in the midst of the eurozone crisis and had no other choice. It has become clear that collusion between governments and banks is the root cause of the eurozone’s vulnerabilities. The unification of banking supervision was a major step.

However, governments realized that completing the banking union and truly severing the funding and guarantee ties between banks and their national treasuries was probably much more difficult than expected.

As with the banking sector, there is likely to be significant resistance to the Europeanization and rationalization of arms procurement. Infighting will be significant and, as with the still-unfinished banking union, obstacles to integration will not be easily overcome. Some of these are legitimate concerns, but some will become bureaucratic and political turf wars.

But we can hopefully focus our minds on the existential threat we face. It is now clear to all concerned that the current procurement model is not only expensive, fragmented and bureaucratic, but above all, is not sufficient to counter the real threat posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. It’s obvious for. Legitimate concerns need to be taken seriously and internal bureaucratic infighting pushed back.

Now is the time to think seriously and quickly about improving Europe’s defense capabilities and supporting Ukraine. And the European Munitions Commissioner is exactly the person we need.