this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2025
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Archive: https://archive.is/2025.03.19-115656/https://www.ft.com/content/eb9e0ddc-8606-46f5-8758-a1b8beae14f1

The planned fund for capitals to spend on weapons would only be open to EU defence companies and those from third countries that have signed defence agreements with the bloc, officials said on Wednesday.

It would also exclude any advanced weapons systems upon which a third country had “design authority” — restrictions on its construction or use of particular components — or control over its eventual use, the officials added. 

That would exclude the US Patriot air and missile defence platform, which is manufactured by defence contractor RTX, and other US weapons systems where Washington has restrictions on where they can be used.

The policy is a victory for France and other countries that have demanded a “Buy European” approach to the continent’s defence investment push, amid fears over the long-term dependability of the US as a defence partner and supplier sparked by President Donald Trump.

At least 65 per cent of the cost of the products would need to be spent in the EU, Norway and Ukraine.

EU member states would not be able to spend the money on products “where there can be a control on the use or the destination of that weapon . . . It would be a real problem if equipment acquired by countries cannot be used because a third country would object,” one of the officials said.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Do any European defence companies have SAMs competitive with the Patriot, or are they still a generation behind?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 hours ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 hours ago

You're comparing apples and oranges.

Of those I would say that only Aster 30 + SAMP/T is a viable Patriot alternative.

And I believe IRIS-T is superior to current US alternatives.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 hours ago

There is going to be so many Boxers..

[–] [email protected] 17 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) (2 children)

"Unless their home countries sign defense pacts", which I kinda expect the UK and Turkey to sign.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 5 hours ago

Not happening with the UK until fishing rights and 18-30 youth mobility visas are on the table. It's nuts that things are this way, the EU needs the UK massively.

The EU has a short memory of who defends Europe. The UK trained Ukraine and provide NLAWs to stave off attack, while Germany gave helmets and Macron was playing mediator.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 hours ago

Dangit, if only we had some sort of defense agreements with the US... /s

[–] [email protected] 40 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) (1 children)

Good stuff, reaming by buying foreign equipment is only kicking the can down the line.

Investing into defense industry that can build new weapons is far stronger then temporarily buying weapons.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 8 hours ago

Or worse, renting or “licensing” weapons.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 9 hours ago (2 children)

UK: Damn Brexit...
Switzerland: Neutral neutrality neutral ...
Ukraine: We're still alive. At some extent...
USA: Tariffs! I'll covfefe all those idiots!!!
Putin: ?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours ago) (2 children)

Switzerland is targeted because of this:

states would not be able to spend the money on products “where there can be a control on the use or the destination of that weapon . . . It would be a real problem if equipment acquired by countries cannot be used because a third country would object,” one of the officials said.

Which is perfectly reasonable. Switzerland can sit on a throne of flawless ethics but it’s just pointless to source weapons from there.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 hours ago

Yep. (Of course it’s the far right in our country preaching about “neutrality” because they are in the pockets of imperialist russia).

[–] [email protected] 12 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

Remember at the start of this war Germany could not send the artillery shells (and maybe tanks? Don't recall exactly) it wanted to Ukraine because they were being made in Switzerland.

This is the logical consequence of the Swiss neutrality position.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 hours ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Thanks!

It's even worse, it's FLAK ammo, not even something potentially used as offense like artillery.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 hours ago

Do not underestimate the effect of 1100 rpm of 35 mm shells vs infantry and lightly armored vehicles. The gun can be lowered to -10 Degrees and AFAIK the Gepards in Ukraine have been used in a ground combat role.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 hours ago

Put in: Nazis everywhere!