Haddad: To really have security under control, Europe needs its own weapons
The French European Minister Benjamin Haddad told Euronews that Europe must take advantage of this historical moment to strengthen their military independence, especially in the light of the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate military aid and the secret services of Ukraine.
France urges European nations to give priority to invest in the arms manufacturers of the continent and move away from American weapons, in the context of unprecedented expenses with the defense.
The French Minister of European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, said that giving priority to the European Defense industry is the “only way for Europe to obtain autonomy” and have control over their own security.
There is concern that US operators no longer provide US weapons, which can limit or control their use by European countries.
Haddad told Euronews that Europe must assume technology control to completely control its use.
“If we have technological knowledge, we can control the use of technologies,” he told Euronews Europe.
Haddad gave as an example the recent debates about the possible use of long -range missiles fired against the Russian territory.
Until recently, Ukraine was prevented from using weapons due to the prohibitions imposed by US and European weapons suppliers. The Ukrainian army complained that even recently “he fought with a arrested hands.”
“See the debates we had on the long -range missiles sent to Ukraine,” said Haddad.
“If we use American components and Americans decide that Ukraine cannot make intensive attacks against Russian objectives to defend themselves, the final decision on the use of these components depends on the United States, even if European countries donate weapons according to this,” he said.
The EU has announced an investment proposal of up to 800 billion euros in European defense in an attempt to vigorize the European industry, and offered renewed security to European countries.
The “Rearm Europe” plan also includes a fund of 150 billion euros for radars, air defense, missiles and drones
France and other countries agree with the idea that this money should circulate within the European economy to reinvir into European technology and employment creation in the EU instead of in the United States.
“Politically, it is also necessary to demonstrate that this will positively influence reindustrialization, factories and jobs, instead of financing defense factories in Kentucky or Pennsylvania,” he said.
