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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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Do any European defence companies have SAMs competitive with the Patriot, or are they still a generation behind?
Multiple
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_surface-to-air_missiles
German Iris-T Norways NASAM French Aster 30
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.
Or worse, renting or “licensing” weapons.
“Unless their home countries sign defense pacts”, which I kinda expect the UK and Turkey to sign.
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.
Dangit, if only we had some sort of defense agreements with the US… /s
UK: Damn Brexit…
Switzerland: Neutral neutrality neutral …
Ukraine: We’re still alive. At some extent…
USA: Tariffs! I’ll covfefe all those idiots!!!
Putin: ?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.
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.
Gepard ammunition
Thanks!
It’s even worse, it’s FLAK ammo, not even something potentially used as offense like artillery.
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.
Yep. (Of course it’s the far right in our country preaching about “neutrality” because they are in the pockets of imperialist russia).
Put in: Nazis everywhere!
There is going to be so many Boxers…
