Europe’s Path to Strategic Autonomy in the Defence Industry (hcss.nl)

• Fragmentation remains the primary barrier to industrial scale
• Autonomy defined as managed interdependency, not autarky
• Need for long-term predictable funding and demand signals

"This analysis from HCSS and Clingendael assesses the structural challenges facing the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). It highlights that despite increased military spending, national fragmentation and reliance on non-European suppliers—specifically the U.S.—hinder operational independence. The report advocates for a pragmatic shift: moving from purely national procurement to coordinated, demand-driven investment. It emphasizes that 'strategic autonomy' should not be interpreted as total isolationism, but as the active management of necessary interdependencies and the pursuit of freedom of action through resilient, purposeful partnerships across the bloc."