In a rare display of candor, the head of Airbus, a leading European defense contractor, has urged a more holistic approach to military spending, saying that simply increasing defense budgets is not a sufficient solution to the current global security crisis.
René Obermann, the chairman of the board of Airbus, emphasized the need for structural reforms, streamlined procurement processes and a standardized European defense industry to complement increased spending. In an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Obermann lamented the slow and often complex procurement processes that hinder the development of innovative defense technologies.
The NATO summit in Den Haag is set to discuss a significant increase in defense spending, but Obermann argued that the focus should be on simplifying and streamlining the procurement process, as well as encouraging collaboration between established defense contractors and innovative startups. He advocated for the adoption of agile development methods and the promotion of modern cooperation between the military, industry and technology firms.
Obermann’s words of caution come as the global security landscape continues to evolve, with the need for more effective and efficient defense strategies becoming increasingly pressing. The Airbus chairman’s call for a more integrated and innovative approach to defense procurement has sparked a much-needed conversation about the need for change in the European defense industry.