On 19 March 2025, the European Commission’s released the long-awaited White Paper on the Future of European Defence which has raised serious concerns within EUROMIL. The Paper was presented by the HRVP Kaja Kallas and Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, with the aim to be a step into building a European Defence Union and the overall defence readiness of the Member States. However, the use of the #EUDefenceIndustry at the background of the presentation raises the question whether the White Paper for European Defence should perhaps be entitled a “White Paper for the European Defence Industry”. In more details, the document extensively discusses investment in the defence industry, but it fails to acknowledge the crucial role of military personnel, leaving a significant gap in the vision for a truly unified European Defence Union.

A Paper Focused on Industry, Not Defence

The White Paper places a heavy emphasis on industrial competitiveness, procurement, and technological advancements. However, EUROMIL believes that this approach overlooks the most important resource in European defence: the men and women in uniform.

Despite that the White Paper states that there is a lot the EU can do to support and coordinate Member States’ efforts to strengthen the defence industrial base and the EU’s overall defence readiness, it does not seem to be the case. As the President of EUROMIL, Emmanuel Jacob highlights: “This is not a White Paper on European defence; it is a White Paper on European investment and the defence industry”. “Overall defence readiness requires much more than only the strengthening of the European Defence Industry. There is no attention at all for the armed forces and their personnel, nor a real vision for a European Defence Union. Instead, it remains a defence policy shaped by the individual political will of member states.”

Regarding the needs of the defence industry, EUROMIL agrees with the overall content of the White Paper, as investment in defence and industry is crucial for European security. However, we expected a more comprehensive approach that considers all aspects of a future European Defence Union. A true defence strategy should not only focus on technology and procurement but also on the human dimension, ensuring that military personnel are well trained, while they as well as veterans are properly supported and integrated into the broader defence framework.

Lack of Strategy for Military Personnel and Veterans

While European leaders continue to call for stronger defence cooperation, the White Paper does not address essential issues such as recruitment, retention, training, working conditions of military personnel, and veterans’ affairs. The only reference to ‘skills and retaining talent’ in the document focuses on the defence industry workforce, rather than the professional development of soldiers or the transition of veterans into civilian life.

For EUROMIL, this omission is a serious flaw. The organisation has consistently advocated for common military standards, improved working conditions, greater investment in human capital, and proper veteran support to ensure that European armed forces remain effective and resilient. Alongside its partners in Veteran Coalition International (VCI), EUROMIL has introduced a separate, specific input highlighting the need for a structured and coherent veteran policy at the EU level. Without a clear strategy to support both military personnel and veterans, the EU risks falling short in meeting its security commitments and failing those who have served.

A Defence Union in Name Only?

The White Paper also fails to present a concrete plan for a truly integrated European Defence Union. Instead of outlining a clear path towards a unified force, it reinforces the current system—where national armies operate independently, with limited coordination under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

“At a time when we need much more from our European political leadership, this paper does not deliver,” Jacob adds. “While everyone is calling for stronger European defence, the document seems to ignore this need entirely. With all due respect, this is a missed opportunity.”

As the White Paper states, the EU has managed to enhance cooperation between the Member States and implement capability and operational defence projects, as is the example of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). But, it should be noted that PESCO has a total of 66 projects and until today only 3 have reached full operational capability. Moreover, it fails to mention the Strategic Compass or the Rapid Deployment Capacity, both of which serve as key examples of progress toward a European Defence Union, the White Paper’s main objective, as emphasized in European Commission President von der Leyen’s letters to commissioners-designate at the time and in the European Commission Work Program.

Last week, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the White Paper during its Plenary Session, highlighting key elements that should have been included in the document. Notably, it stressed the need to reassess and review Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, strengthen capabilities in line with the EDA Capability Development Plan and the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), and ensure that both civilian and military personnel are equipped to deter and respond swiftly to an evolving threat landscape, paving the way for genuine European defence readiness.

Given that the White Paper indicates it will be followed by the Preparedness Union Strategy, we can anticipate further developments toward a stronger European defence readiness and concrete steps toward the Defence Union.

Growing Concerns About European Defence Policy

EUROMIL has repeatedly warned that the European Commission is prioritising the interests of the defence industry over the development of an effective defence policy. The concern that Europe would end up with a Defence Industry Commissioner rather than a Commissioner for Defence and Military Affairs is now more evident than ever.

EUROMIL had already delivered its input on these critical matters months ago, well within the appropriate timeframe. However, it appears that these concerns were not considered within the scope of the White Paper. This issue was further underlined at a side event of the Munich Security Conference, where Commissioner Kubilius responded to a question from EUROMIL’s President regarding military personnel by stating that these issues could perhaps be addressed in a separate discussion or paper at a later stage.

As Europe faces increasing security challenges, ensuring the well-being and preparedness of its armed forces must be a top priority. EUROMIL will continue advocating for policies that place military personnel and veterans at the heart of European defence, rather than treating them as an afterthought in industrial policy discussions.