European Liberal Democrats welcome Commission defence procurement offensive

3.40.00pm GMT Wed 5th Dec 2007

The draft directive unveiled by the European Commission today will introduce openness, transparency and competition into the field of defence procurement. The proposed opening of the defence markets between Member States will go hand in hand with safeguards protecting sensitive security interests by allowing exemptions to specific contracts. When implemented the draft legislation will see tax money saved, soldiers' equipment improved, and defence further developed.

"All Member States are faced with pressures on their national defence budgets and many of the supplies required to sustain them are not sensitive military hardware but basic logistical materials. There is no reason to invoke sensitive national security interests for the supply of uniforms or decorating barracks" said European Liberal Democrat Leader Graham Watson. "Furthermore standing armies are increasingly being supplemented by high tech weaponry which is more efficiently procured on a joint EU basis to avoid duplication and exploit the economies of scale that can ensure better value for money. Finance ministers and military chiefs should both equally welcome today's initiative."

"If Europe is serious about a common security and defence policy, it also needs a common arms market. Today the European market is fragmented, products are too expensive and research is underdeveloped. All this is to the disadvantage of the soldiers we send on increasing number of dangerous missions all over the world. Today's package is an important step in the right direction. All surveys show that citizens are in favour of a stronger EU and at the same time, they are not prepared to spend more on defence. Logically, the existing means should be better and more efficiently used" commented Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (FDP,ALDE), Member of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence.