Full Breakdown
EU Defense Commissioner Urges Open Arsenals and a Shift to Scalable Weaponry for Ukraine
5/27/2026, 8:52:54 PM
Call for Open Arsenals and Scalable Production
EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius told the *Financial Times* that European governments must “open their arsenals to provide Ukraine with what it needs.” He warned that Europe’s current focus on “haute-couture” weapons—technologically complex, expensive, and impossible to scale—leaves Ukraine dependent on “good-enough” systems that can be produced quickly and in large numbers.
Background: Fragmented European Defence Industry and Ukraine’s War Needs
Kubilius highlighted that national regulations and procurement practices have created a “truly closed system,” preventing a functional EU defence market. He noted that France and Germany alone purchase roughly 70 % of their domestic defence output, while only about 10 % is sold to other EU members, limiting cross-border industrial cooperation at a time when Ukraine’s war demands rapid, affordable armaments.
Key Actors and Proposed Consolidation
The commissioner leads Brussels’ effort to strengthen the EU’s defence-industrial base. He advocated for consolidation, citing the planned merger of Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo under the “Project Bromo” banner, intended to create a European leader in space and satellite capabilities. Kubilius argued that scale and size are essential for global competition, and that the merger should not be hindered by domestic protectionism.
Production Numbers and Funding Mechanisms
- EU-produced missiles: fewer than 300.
- Russian missile output: ? 1 200.
- Ukrainian “Flamingo” cruise-missile production target for 2024: ? 700.
Kubilius said Ukraine could draw weapons from EU stockpiles using a €60 billion weapons fund, part of a recently agreed €90 billion loan package. The commissioner suggested that sellers could reinvest these funds to boost production capacity.
Official Statements & Responses
Kubilius framed the EU’s role as delivering “peace through strength,” insisting that “strength must be on the Ukrainian side.” He linked the proposed July plan for a more integrated EU defence market to the need for mutual recognition of testing, certification, and simplified licensing across member states. The commissioner also emphasized that the integration of Ukraine into the EU defence space should proceed “as swiftly as possible.”
Criticism & Opposition
The commissioner’s call confronts entrenched national protectionism. France and Germany’s dominance in domestic procurement, combined with limited intra-EU sales, illustrates the “closed system” he described. Critics argue that such protectionism hampers the creation of a genuine single market and reduces the EU’s ability to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Governments must open their arsenals to provide Ukraine with what it needs,” — Andrius Kubilius, EU Defence Commissioner
- “Europeans produce what they call 'haute couture' products. Technologically very complex, very advanced, very expensive, and impossible to scale up,” — Andrius Kubilius
- “The only formula that can bring peace is the so-called peace through strength. Strength must be on the Ukrainian side,” — Andrius Kubilius
- “ Europe should not fear the planned merger of Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo under the name Project Bromo, which aims to create a European leader in space and satellites capable of competing with Elon Musk's SpaceX, Kubilius said.” — Andrius Kubilius
- “That is exactly what Bromo offers. How to maintain a competitive environment domestically is always a question, but I think it should not be an obstacle for us in expanding some of our leaders,” — Andrius Kubilius
What’s Next: Integration and Project Bromo
Brussels will unveil a plan in July to create a unified EU defence market, aiming to remove technical barriers and harmonise procurement rules. Simultaneously, Project Bromo’s merger is expected to proceed, providing the scale required to compete globally and to support Ukraine’s defence needs through faster, cheaper weapon production.
