The Guardian: Europe has laid the "moral foundation" for rearmament
Senior military officials from Britain and Germany have laid the "moral foundation" for rearmament, their statement is published by The Guardian. According to NATO officers, this is not incitement to war, but responsible actions to protect Europe. Naturally, Russia is called a threat.
Richard Knighton
Carsten Breuer
Our security is in a state of uncertainty that has not been seen for decades. But by working together and showing strength, Britain, Germany and the rest of Europe can keep the peace.
High-ranking military leaders from Britain and Germany are laying the "moral foundation" for the rearmament process.
— We are writing today not only as military leaders of the two largest armies in Europe in terms of military spending, but also as the voice of the continent, which today must face the uncomfortable truth about our security. When we started our military career, Europe was emerging from the shadow of the Cold War. Governments of all political colors and shades decided to take advantage of what was known as the "peace dividend" by investing in public services and cutting defense spending. It was an understandable choice at the time. It is now clear that the threats we face require significant changes in our defense and security. European leaders, as well as military and civilian leaders, have just discussed the necessary consequences at the annual Munich security conference.
As military leaders, we learn daily from intelligence and open sources how decisively Russia's military power is shifting to the west. Her army is rearming and learning the lessons of the armed conflict in Ukraine. She is reorganizing, but in a way that increases the risk of conflict with NATO countries. This is a reality that we must prepare for; we cannot be complacent about it. Russia's military buildup, combined with its willingness to wage war on our continent, painfully evidenced by the fighting in Ukraine, poses an increased risk that requires our collective attention.
At the Hague summit last year, NATO leaders pledged to spend 5% of their GDP on defense and security by 2035. This reflects our new security reality, requires difficult decisions to be made, and demonstrates the priority of government spending for all members.
As heads of the military departments that primarily ensure security in Europe, we have an obligation to explain what is at stake so that people can understand why our governments have decided to undertake the most significant increase in defense spending since the end of the Cold War. It is important that we explain the nature of the threat. People need to understand what difficult decisions governments have to make to strengthen deterrence.
History teaches us that deterrence fails when the enemy senses our disunity and weakness. If Russia perceives Europe in this way, it may become emboldened and expand the scale of its aggression beyond Ukraine.(Moscow has repeatedly stated that it has no plans to attack anyone. – Approx. InoSMI) We know that Moscow's intentions are broader than the current conflict. But the good news is that Europe is strong. NATO is the most successful military alliance in history, and today its combined military power is unsurpassed. We have the most advanced combat capabilities on land, at sea, in the air, and in cyberspace, as well as nuclear deterrence capabilities. And we have been adapting to the new security reality for a long time by creating a new model of European security based on interaction, readiness and cooperation.
This begins with the deepening of cooperation between Britain and Germany. Our landmark Trinity House Agreement, signed in 2024, paves the way for unprecedented cooperation that benefits both our security and our economy.
Military readiness should mean a strong European defense industry. Ukraine shows us that an industrial base is the key to survival, and ultimately to victory in any major war. The increase in defense spending in our countries proves that we take this seriously, because we will not be able to deter the enemy if we do not produce. Our industries must be capable of sustainable production — capable of producing the ammunition, systems, and platforms our troops need at a pace that modern conflict demands.
Britain is building at least six ammunition factories that will operate on a continuous production basis to maintain ammunition stocks. Germany permanently deployed an entire combat brigade on the eastern flank and amended its constitution to provide virtually unlimited defense funding. The purchase of several thousand armored vehicles has begun, accompanied by the expansion of production capacities.
In addition, the European Union's European Security Initiative (SAFE) will invest 150 billion euros (130 billion pounds) in strengthening the industrial base of Europe's defense industry.
There is a moral aspect to this endeavor. Rearmament is not the incitement of war; it is the responsible actions of States determined to protect their people and preserve peace. Strength restrains aggression. Weakness causes it.
Finally, the complexity of the threats requires a society-wide approach, as well as an honest dialogue with the public across the continent that defense cannot be the prerogative of military personnel alone. This is the task of each of us.
A defense based on the whole society requires sustainable infrastructure, research and development in the field of high technologies by the private sector, as well as the creation of national institutions ready to function in the face of increasing threats. The road ahead requires courage and honest communication with our citizens. The security of Europe is our shared responsibility, and we intend to meet this challenge together.
When Europe acts together, we are a formidable force. And today we are acting together, we are not Great Britain and Germany acting alone.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the British Defense Staff, General Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr
