MSC Hosts European Defense Roundtable in Paris

On July 13, 2022, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) hosted a European Defense Roundtable in Paris, which brought together around 40 decision-makers and experts from governments, parliaments, armed forces, think tanks, and the private sector. Throughout three discussions chaired by MSC Chairman Christoph Heusgen and Vice-Chairman Boris Ruge, the participants discussed the next steps for strengthening European defense cooperation, EU-NATO cooperation as well as the European countries' contributions to collective defense in NATO, with a view to Russia's war on Ukraine and its repercussions for the European security environment. Furthermore, the participants discussed what Russia’s nuclear sabre-rattling means for the nuclear strategies of NATO's nuclear states and the Alliance as a whole, with a particular focus on France.

The results of the European Defense Roundtable will complement the "transatlantic to-do list" which the MSC launched after the Munich Leaders Meeting in May 2022 in Washington, DC.

NATO After Madrid: A Pivotal Moment for European Security?

The participants discussed what they saw as fundamental changes to the European security environment caused by Russia's all-out war on Ukraine. According to most participants, the NATO Summit in Madrid not only confirmed a fundamental reconsideration of the relationship with Russia but also delivered significant decisions to strengthen the Alliance vis-à-vis other security challenges, such as those posed by China and by climate change. While the participants agreed that the Alliance was moving in the right direction, some worried that the Allies did not move quickly and decisively enough. Emphasizing a widely shared sense of urgency, several participants highlighted the need to swiftly implement the measures agreed upon in Madrid. The discussions also dealt with the NATO-Russia Founding Act and whether the transatlantic partners should officially revoke it. The participants agreed that the self-imposed restrictions mentioned in the document had, in any case, already been invalidated by Russia's fundamental violation of the basic spirit and the most important norms of the Founding Act. In addition, several participants voiced concerns about an increasing "Ukraine fatigue" of the public in view of rising levels of energy and food insecurity, which would play well into Russia’s hands and undermine the transatlantic partners' approach toward Russia.

A European Zeitenwende? Rebuilding European Armed Forces for an Era of Growing Strategic Competition

The discussions on the implications of the European Zeitenwende – or watershed moment – for European defense cooperation, the European defense industry, and for the EU-NATO partnership started with a dire analysis: five years after the MSC, together with McKinsey and the Hertie School's Centre for International Security, published a report on European military capabilities, there has not been much progress in reducing military capability gaps and the level of fragmentation. However, the announcements of several European countries to increase defense spending after decades of under-investment brings opportunities for countries to close capability gaps, to invest in joint planning and procurement, and to push for innovation.

Several participants emphasized that the analysis and the tools to address these challenges were available, but the political will of governments to enhance European cooperation was missing. More connected and more capable European forces were considered vital by the participants, and would make Europe's contribution to NATO more effective. With regard to Germany's announced purchase of F-35 fighter jets, the discussions also addressed the fundamental question whether Europeans should close their current capability gaps by buying from US companies, or whether they should rather invest in the European defense industry.