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.
Menu
Europe should aim to stand on its own feet and, where it can, set the pace.
The prospect of losing a large defense contractor seems particularly ill advised considering the administration’s national defense strategy that demands vast defense expertise and industrial capacity amid growing threats.
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 manufacturing boom won’t materialize without greater effort by private industry, government agencies, educational institutions and non-profits.
Engagement by the UK’s financial sector in security and defense has been tepid at best. This must change.
We need to find innovative ways to stretch our industry training dollars, especially as advancing military threats spur the need for more advanced weaponry and a well-trained workforce.
In order to prevail in this new Cold War, the U.S. must ensure that its high-tech companies are able to compete successfully against their Chinese rivals.
It is imperative to keep the F-35 one step ahead of any potential threats. This includes performing necessary updates, such as engine upgrades.
The onus is on industry for thoroughly researching value creation opportunities and conveying options to the Department of Defense.
