The EU wants to break its security dependency on the US and buy more European weapons

BRUSSELS — The European Union on Wednesday announced a new drive to break its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment in Europe. AP AUDIO: The EU wants to break its security dependency on the US and buy more European weapons AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports the EU is announcing a new drive to break its security dependency on the U.S., with a focus on buying more defense equipment in Europe. Defense firms in the U.S., U.K., and Turkey would be excluded from the loan plan unless those governments sign security agreements with the EU. The strategy notes that while the United States remains a key Western ally, it has been clear “that it believes it is over-committed in Europe and needs to rebalance, reducing its historical role as a primary security guarantor.” Andrius Kubilius, the EU’s recently appointed and first-ever defense commissioner, warned that “450 million European Union citizens should not have to depend on 340 million Americans to defend ourselves.” Spending priorities for joint purchase would be air and missile defense systems, artillery, ammunition, drones, equipment for use in cyber and electronic warfare, and “strategic enablers” like air-to-air refueling and land border security installations.