JUST IN: U.S., European Defense Firms Should Come Together, New NATO Commander Says

U.S. Army photo

WIESBADEN, Germany — European and U.S. defense firms should put aside their rivalries and come together as a “seamless” industry that can deliver capabilities to NATO nations as quickly as possible, the new commander of the alliance said July 17.

Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander of U.S. European Command and NATO supreme allied commander Europe, said the recent “historic” agreement for alliance nations to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense is all the demand signal industry needs to move forward with investments and begin to deliver the weapon systems needed to deter Russia.

The 5 percent commitment demonstrates a willingness across the alliance and in every single one of its nations to meeting NATO’s requirements, he said at the LandEuro conference organized by the Association of the United States Army.

“The challenge now isn’t that commitment. The challenge is taking that commitment  and turning it into real capability and capacity on the battlefield,” he said in one of his first public speeches since assuming command on July 4.

To do that, the defense industry “on both sides of the Atlantic is going to have to become fully activated,” he said.

“There’s plenty of work to go around,” he said.

“It’s a false choice to think that we can only invest in one or the other. It needs to be one seamless industrial base that can deliver capabilities and capacity for the alliance,” he said.

The commander’s comments came as the 5 percent commitment was expected to greatly benefit the defense industries of member nations and others, but also after tariff threats from the Trump administration have riled traditional trading partners, with European defense firms advertising their goods as “ITAR free,” referring to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations that restrict sales of sensitive U.S. weapon systems and technology.

 Grynkewich called for industry and military leaders to hold themselves accountable for ensuring that the alliance gets the capabilities it needs.

When asked for the top three categories on his capabilities wishlist, Grynkewich said “air defense. You always want more. That’s an acute requirement — whether it is counter-UAS or counter ballistic missiles.”

Then there is a need for better long-range fires, “whether they are delivered from surface or delivered air to surface, we need the ability to hold things at risk … in order to affect what’s happening on the front lines.”

Finally, he said NATO brigades should have all the capabilities of a Ukrainian brigade. Without being specific, he wants to “match what they are able to do today.” 

“I would ask industry folks who are here and elsewhere to realize that sustained [5 percent] commitment should be a powerful signal to do the things you need to do to expand production lines, to increase [research and development] spending, etc., so we get where we need to go,” he said.

 

Topics: International, Defense Contracting