According to the general, development is indeed happening in some industries, such as artillery ammunition production, which is “well scaled up.” At the same time, Vansina believes that in certain areas, economic logic \u2014 “shareholders must be rewarded” \u2014 overrides the defence industry’s role in defending the European continent. “In the minds of many CEOs, economic primacy outweighs the strategic role of the defence industry,” he asserts.<\/p>\n
In recent weeks, it became clear that the sixth-generation Franco-German-Spanish fighter aircraft (FCAS) will not be realised. France and Germany could not agree on its development. This aircraft was emblematic of a European collaborative project. “That is a failure,” he says.<\/p>\n
He believes that the war in Ukraine “should be the trigger for Europeans to jointly address certain large, highly visible capabilities.” “And then it just falls flat.” Vansina notes that in the major European countries, there is no apparent industrial “sense of urgency.” “It is still very much about the autonomy of the defence industry in large countries. We as Europeans really can no longer afford that.”<\/p>\n
Besides the FCAS, he also mentions programs for a future tank (Main Ground Combat System) and the Eurodrone. “None of these programs are currently on the right track. It is regrettable that we as a continent of 450 to 500 million inhabitants, with sufficient budgets and expertise, fail to develop large systems together,” he criticises.<\/p>\n
The general also questions why political authorities in these large countries cannot impose cooperation among industries. “Then we could buy one fighter jet, one frigate, one tank. That offers scale advantages, better prices, and interoperability \u2014 all ‘made in Europe’.”<\/p>\n
According to the CHOD, the industry is calling for long-term predictability. Companies are compelled to open additional production lines and recruit personnel to meet the numerous defence material orders.<\/p>\n
Vansina sees part of the solution in long-term contracts, standardisation, and the simplification of procurement procedures. These are currently different, leading to significant delays. “We as European countries, under the leadership of the European Commission, need to work on this, and it is also on the Commission’s radar.”<\/p>\n
The Defence chief considers Belgium to be a “good student of European defence.” The previous government signed a 20-year contract worth 1.7 billion euros with the weapons manufacturer FN Herstal to produce small arms and ammunition. “That provides predictability for FN,” Vansina states.<\/p>\n
He also sees Belgium as an “example of European cooperation and defence.” For instance, Belgium collaborates closely with the Netherlands on naval matters and with France for land forces. Belgium is also part of the multinational tanker fleet with Airbus A330 MRTTs.<\/p>\n
Another good example of defence cooperation in Europe can be found in Scandinavia, where several countries jointly purchase the CV90 armoured vehicle.<\/p>\n