The European Parliament has recently adopted a resolution regarding a White Paper on the Future of European Defense. This White Paper focuses on enhancing European strategic autonomy, increasing defense spending, and coordinating the modernization of member states' armed forces. It highlights the necessity for developing joint military capabilities, fostering better cooperation within NATO and the EU, and improving resilience against hybrid threats and cyberattacks. The document also emphasizes the importance of refining decision-making processes and investing jointly in defense technologies. The Polish government also requested that the White Paper include the Polish Shield East project, which involves constructing a system of fortifications along the Polish-Belarusian border.

While the document appears clear and transparent in its intentions to strengthen European defense capabilities, the Polish opposition voted overwhelmingly against its adoption. Critics of the White Paper highlighted concerns that it could undermine national independence in defense matters, potentially diminishing the decision-making power of smaller European states. Concerns were also raised about the possible risks of establishing separate defense structures in Europe, which might weaken NATO, especially given the current uncertainty regarding its security guarantees from the US administration. The resolution suggests shifting from a unanimous decision-making process to a majority voting system in security and defense issues. This change could significantly threaten the sovereignty of individual states, as it may lead to a loss of control over national defense policies to EU institutions and the largest member states.

Additionally, the plan to centralize defense procurement and prioritize the European arms industry raises questions, particularly for Poland, which currently relies on arms purchases from the United States and South Korea. Such centralization could negatively affect Polish defense capabilities and ongoing procurement programs. Moreover, the consolidation of the European armament industry may undermine the defense capabilities of smaller nations, favoring larger defense companies from Germany, France, and Italy.

It is crucial to highlight the lack of a clear plan for securing real funding for the armament program of EU countries. This program could be financed either by increasing the EU's overall debt or by employing accounting methods designed to exclude armament expenditures from the public debt limits of individual EU nations. Approximately 150 billion euros in actual funds are expected to be transferred from the Cohesion Fund. The remaining funds will need to be provided by individual EU countries, and the purpose of these funds will be determined by officials in Brussels.

Source, Łukasz Wojdyga Director of the Center for Strategic Studies Warsaw Enterprise Institute