The EU unveiled ambitious plans on Wednesday to boost joint defence spending including on shared assets like drones and helicopters, as concerns grow that President-elect Donald Trump may downgrade the US security commitment.
Trump shocked longtime NATO allies in Europe when he suggested on the campaign trail be would think twice about coming to their aid if they had not paid their defence dues.
That prospect, combined with the Ukraine and migrant crises plus nuclear-armed Britain’s shock vote to quit the European Union, have moved security sharply up the bloc’s agenda.
“If Europe does not take care of its own security, nobody else will do it for us,” European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said in a statement as the plans were announced.