PARIS (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday urged European nations to seek greater independence in airspace defenses and advocated not over-reliance on the US, a long-controversial issue fueled by Russia’s war in Ukraine takes on new urgency.
In the closing speech of a conference in Paris, attended by defense ministers and other representatives from 20 European countries, Macron advocated that Europeans should develop their own airspace protection strategy.
The talks focused on countering drones and ballistic missiles, French organizers said, noting that Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine demonstrated the importance and effectiveness of this equipment. Nuclear deterrence was also on the agenda.
“We need to know what the threat situation is… And then what can we Europeans produce?” And then what do we have to buy?” said Macron.
He warned against immediately buying “what’s on the shelves”.
Among others, Germany, Great Britain and Sweden as well as the Ukrainian neighbors Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania took part in the meeting. Representatives from NATO and the European Union were also present.
Macron urged European defense manufacturers to build independent military systems and move production to the continent. He also called for improved European standards.
“Why do we still have to buy American food too often? Because Americans have standardized a lot more than we have and they themselves have federal agencies that give massive subsidies to their manufacturers,” he said.
The day-long gathering took place on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show, the world’s largest event focused on the aerospace industry, which opened on Monday.
France has openly criticized German-led plans to improve Europe’s air defense capabilities. The so-called European Sky Shield project, launched late last year, is made up of 17 European nations, including Britain – but not France. It is to be integrated into NATO’s air and missile defense systems.
The French government believes that the project does not adequately safeguard European sovereignty as it is expected to be largely based on US and Israeli industry. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius attended the meeting in Paris.
“With the European Sky Shield Initiative, we are bringing European states together to jointly increase protection against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones,” said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday morning in Berlin at a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The German-led plan is expected to include Israel’s Arrow-3 system and build on existing US Patriot missile capabilities.
Scholz did not respond to Paris’s objections to the initiative.
Defense has always been a point of contention between the two countries. France lamented that Germany had not done enough in this area for years – until the war in Ukraine led Berlin to announce a significant increase in military spending.
Macron said on Monday that the Mamba missile defense system jointly developed by France and Italy “is now deployed in Ukraine and is operational, protecting vital assets and lives.” Delivery of the system to Kiev was announced by Paris and Rome in February.
“It’s really Europe protecting Europe,” Macron said.
The Mamba system is part of NATO’s integrated air and missile defense system.
With the help of Western weapons and growing experience, Ukraine’s air defense systems have come a long way since the war began last year, saving infrastructure and lives and preventing Russia from gaining air superiority.
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Associated Press writer Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.