Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The fifth round of Iran-US talks ended after three and a half hours.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The fifth round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States has begun at the headquarters of the Sultanate of Oman's mission in Rome.
Turkish public prosecutor has issued arrest warrants for 63 active-duty military personnel over alleged links to a group accused of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt
Kremlin says no agreements yet on next platform for Russia-Ukraine negotiations
YAF spokesperson: We targeted Lydd Airport, known as Ben-Gurion Airport, with a hypersonic missile
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: Two Israeli airstrikes targeted Wadi al-Aziziya in the Tyre district.
CIA spokesperson says law enforcement responded to a security incident outside CIA headquarters.
Brigadier General Saree: Operation achieved its targeted successfully, forcing millions of Zionists to flee to shelters, and halted air traffic at the airport.
YAF spokesperson: We've executed a military operation targeting Ben Gurion Airport in occupied Yafa with ballistic hypersonic missile.
IOF warning forces residents to evacuate and head South in preparation for expansion of aggression.

EU launches ReArm plan, focuses on air defense, precision weapons

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 6 Mar 2025 23:16
3 Min Read

This move comes as part of a broader strategy known as ReArm Europe, an initiative aimed at significantly boosting the EU's defense capabilities while reducing reliance on external allies.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    European Council President Antonio Costa, second right, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, third right, meet with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, second left, during a round table meeting at an EU Summit in Brussels, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP)

The European Union is ramping up efforts to develop its military-industrial sector, drawing insights from the Ukraine war. A statement issued following a European Council meeting on Thursday outlined key areas for defense investment, particularly in air defense, advanced drone technology, and precision-guided weaponry.

According to the European Council's conclusions, the bloc is focusing on strengthening its military capabilities in coordination with NATO and the European Defence Agency. The document specified that priorities include air and missile defense, long-range artillery, missile stockpiles, and anti-drone technologies.

"[The European Council] identifies the following first list of priority areas for action at EU level in the field of capabilities taking into account the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, in accordance with the work already done in the framework of the European Defence Agency and in full coherence with NATO: air and missile defence; artillery systems, including deep precision strike capabilities; missiles and ammunition; drones and anti-drone systems…" the statement read.

This move comes as part of a broader strategy known as ReArm Europe, an initiative aimed at significantly boosting the EU's defense capabilities while reducing reliance on external allies. Under this plan, EU leaders have proposed unlocking up to €800 billion to finance military advancements, primarily through defense loans, budget repurposing, and private capital mobilization. The European Investment Bank (EIB) may also lift restrictions on lending to defense firms to support this push.

Related News

Meloni opposes EU tariffs on US, rejects troop deployment to Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described this as a necessary response to "a clear and present danger" facing the region, marking a shift in the EU's traditional defense posture. The initiative also aligns with recent calls from the US for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security, especially amid concerns about potential shifts in American foreign policy under a future administration.

"Europe is ready to assume its responsibilities.

ReArm Europe could mobilise close to €800 billion for a safe and resilient Europe.

This is a moment for Europe. And we are ready to step up."

— President @vonderleyen on the defence package pic.twitter.com/OiE8kH8FnK

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) March 4, 2025

Despite general support for these measures, divisions remain among EU member states. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban notably refused to endorse the European Council's statement backing Ukraine, signaling ongoing fractures within the bloc over the extent of military support and defense spending.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with EU leaders during the summit, stressing the urgent need for additional military aid and coordinated diplomatic efforts. Zelensky also reiterated that immediate steps—such as a ceasefire and prisoner exchanges—could help establish basic trust toward a future peace settlement with Russia.

Read more: Russia a 'threat to France and Europe': Macron

  • ReArm Europe
  • European Commission
  • European Union
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben-Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

  • MENA
  • 18 May 2025
Israeli media: Yemen may push 'Israel' towards ceasefire in Gaza

Israeli media: Yemen may push 'Israel' towards ceasefire in Gaza

  • MENA
  • 17 May 2025
Rachel Accurso criticized for speaking out on Gaza children crisis

Ms. Rachel accused of antisemitism for speaking out for Gaza children

  • Politics
  • 20 May 2025
Martyrs, injuries in violent Israeli bombardment of southern Gaza

Israeli operation fails; IOF launch violent strikes on Gaza

  • Politics
  • 19 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
The sun sets over Nuuk, Greenland, Monday, July. 31, 2017.
Environment

Greenland’s moon rock mine: Europe wins, US watches

A US B-1B Lancer landing after a Bomber Task Force mission at Naval Station Diego Garcia last year (US Air Force/AP)
Asia Pacific

UK retains US base access as Chagos sovereignty transfers to Mauritius

A coworking office space in Meridian, Idaho, Thursday, April 18, 2024 (AP)
Technology

US plans data portal to expand warrantless surveillance: The Intercept

'Israel' releases Gaza detainees after months of starvation, torture
Palestine

Released Gaza detainees report abuse, starvation in Israeli prisons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS