Large shell requirements
A rather bold proposal has been put on the table by the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. He proposes to devote one billion euros specifically to supplying the Ukrainian armed forces with 155 mm shells. Those used on the French Caesars like the Polish Krab or the German PzH2000. The money will be drawn from the European Peace Facility. A fund, set up in 2021 to finance EU military operations and capacity building for foreign armies. The principle of financing is original: the faster a State provides the shells, the better it is reimbursed. Thus, a country that delivers ammunition to Ukraine, before May, for example, will be reimbursed up to 90%! There is indeed an emergency. Ukrainian forces are consuming almost 6,000 shells of all kinds a day in the artillery battle that is brewing all along the Donbass.
France and a few others want to take advantage of the momentum to strengthen the European defense industry
The European proposal includes two other components, which are more complex to implement. A purchasing center will be set up within the European Defense Agency in order to award joint contracts to manufacturers. With one hope: to be able to play on delivery times. Not easy in practice. “All the production chains are just in time today”, explains a European diplomat. And prices are rising… Another proposal: strengthen European industry, develop new production lines, or even relocate certain outsourced production. A project to which Commissioner Thierry Breton is very attached, like France, but which is encountering serious reluctance.
Diplomatic “nuances”
It’s complicated recognizes a diplomat consulted by “Sud Ouest”. The 27 are all aware of “having to respond very quickly” to the needs expressed by the Ukrainians. But differences are displayed in the European corridors. Some “nuances” they say at the diplomatic level! Poles, Baltics, Swedes, in particular, are very unenthusiastic against any proposal aimed at establishing a European preference. They want to be able to buy quickly, from any supplier, especially American. France, and a few others (Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, etc.) want to take advantage of the momentum to strengthen the European defense industry.
The discussion this morning in Stockholm between the ministers could therefore be quite difficult. The ministers have already set another meeting to finalize the project: in Brussels on March 20.
