European Defense Should Rely on European Technology
Robert Brull
April 8, 2026
Europe should aim to stand on its own feet and, where it can, set the pace.
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Europe should aim to stand on its own feet and, where it can, set the pace.
This is not a debate about manned versus unmanned, nor about exquisite versus cheap. It is about operational effectiveness.
In the absence of direction and accountability, an “assume breach” mindset can help agencies and operators prepare for attacks and expedite the implementation of this guidance.
The volume, velocity and value of data have increased exponentially as defense organizations modernize, but so have the risks.
Getting these platforms into the hands of forces is critical, but fielding tools is only the start. Leaders must ensure people have the time, training and permission to learn them well.
Where we once the U.S. made 30 percent of the world supply of printed circuit boards, the U.S. now makes only 4 percent.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command must modernize networks, data environments and coalition structures. It must also enhance cybersecurity strategies to achieve decision dominance by 2027 and beyond.
Cross-domain security technologies can provide a secure bridge to enable secure data exchange.
The Trump administration can’t meet its “Arsenal of Freedom” goals without the combined efforts of the full range of American expertise: new entrants, prime innovators and commercial crossovers.
The catastrophic export control failures of both the Netherlands and E.U. mean this challenge must now be addressed by other approaches available to NATO nations.
Ukraine serves as a global case study in how modern defense technology must be designed, tested and deployed to remain effective in high-intensity conflict.
The challenge is ensuring commercial electronics can be scaled, surged and, most importantly, trusted as one element within a national strategy.
Addressing concerns about the V-22 Osprey is a necessity. But so is preserving a platform unlike any other in the U.S. inventory.
The military’s zero trust approach redefines security principles with a focus on drastically reducing attack surfaces.
Successful defense across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace depends on technology that can perform reliably across multiple domains and with limited connection.
As the volume of data fed into artificial intelligence models increases and its velocity accelerates, the attack surface grows.
The manufacturing boom won’t materialize without greater effort by private industry, government agencies, educational institutions and non-profits.
Three critical elements must be considered to ensure the architecture is both viable for the short term and flexible for the long term.
Golden Dome isn’t just about intercepting enemy weapons. It’s also about modernizing the civilian systems that millions of Americans rely on every day to fly safely.
The essential question is, will China take a decisive lead over the U.S. in commanding the spectrum in future warfare?
As the Pentagon works to operationalize AI and data at scale, generative AI is driving efficiency and mission-readiness across the military services.
Certain functions are by nature or necessity best handled by government, such as safety-critical airspace operations.
When compared with similar and more expensive U.S. warships, foreign vessels have come up remarkably short in combat capability.
The Department of Defense has an opportunity to rethink its traditional approach to protecting operational technology systems.
Applying the zero trust approach to information technology is familiar territory, but applying it to operational technologies is fundamentally different—and far more complex.
It’s time to fix the frigate, and produce it in numbers, even at the expense of the larger DDG, and pair all manned combatant ships with unmanned “sidekicks.”
But several recent developments should lead policymakers to rethink the wisdom or feasibility of clearing a “pipeline” from this critical band for 5G expansion.
The past months have shown that the Trump administration is more than willing to upend precedent, conventional wisdom and relationships to secure a “better deal” for America.
The Modular Open Systems Approach to aircraft design emphasizes the use of modular components with standardized interfaces. This allows for easier upgrades, maintenance and integration of new technologies over time.
While Russia seeks Ukraine’s subjugation in Europe and the People’s Republic of China looms as a rising danger to Taiwan across the sea in the Pacific, the military dimensions of space have grown ever more important.
