In her first major address since taking office in December, Kallas highlighted the importance of consolidating the EU’s defence industry. She proposed the establishment of a Single Market for Defence to enable Member States to adopt common military systems, enhancing interoperability across their armed forces. Kallas clarified that the EU does not require a single European military but rather 27 national forces capable of working seamlessly together to address threats, particularly from Russia.
In turbulent times, we need to stick together.
We have more than enough strength to defeat countries that are fighting against us.Watch my speech live at the @EUDefenceAgency conference https://t.co/oA3GA0pZx1
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 22, 2025
The conference, attended by over 400 participants in person and 800 online, showcased Kallas’ vision for the EDA’s role in addressing renewed security challenges. She warned of the scale of the military threat posed by Russia, noting its intensified defence production and extensive military spending. “We must be realistic about the scale of this threat,” she said, adding that Europe must transition from declarations to decisive action.
Kallas highlighted the EU’s extensive support for Ukraine, which totals €134 billion, including €50 billion in military aid. The bloc has also trained 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers and imposed sanctions on Russia. She stressed that Ukraine’s resistance is vital for the security of Europe, stating, “The Ukrainians are not just fighting for their freedom; they are defending ours too.”
Kallas also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining strong partnerships with the United States and Britain. She advocated for exploring a new security agreement with London following its departure from the EU. NATO, she emphasised, remains the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security, but the EU must retain the ability to act independently if necessary.
EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý echoed Kallas’ calls for greater defence integration, highlighting the Agency’s efforts to address critical capability gaps. The EDA’s initiatives aim to enhance Member States’ military mobility, air defence systems, and long-range missile capabilities, ensuring the EU can respond decisively to emerging threats.
Kallas concluded with a stark warning: “If Europeans don’t get serious about defence, there will be no Europe as we know it left to defend.” Her remarks underscored the urgency of collective action in the face of escalating geopolitical challenges and reinforced the EDA’s mission to lead Europe’s defence transformation.
Source: European Defence Agency (EDA).
