Public Debate on European Defence Industry and Armament

On 16 March 2026, CENTREPEACE and the Student Section of IIPS organised a public lecture titled “European Armament and the Development of the Defence Industry on the EU’s Eastern Flank.” The event took the form of a moderated discussion featuring Martin Chovančík, an expert in defence industry and European defence-industrial cooperation, and Oldřich Krpec, a specialist in international political economy.

The discussion focused on the defence capacity of Europe in the context of current geopolitical tensions and security challenges. The speakers addressed several key issues, including the phenomenon of the “nationalisation” of the defence industry, highlighting that despite the existence of a common foreign policy, the European Union often continues to operate as a collection of individual states. This fragmentation is particularly visible in the field of defence production and cooperation.

The debate also explored the possibilities for deeper cooperation among European countries, including the specialisation of production, the sharing of capacities, and the economic dimensions of the defence sector. One of the central challenges identified was the relatively low economic return of defence investments, which complicates long-term planning and development. As a potential way forward, the speakers discussed the concept of dual-use technologies, which could serve both military and civilian purposes.

Another important topic was Europe’s dependence on non-European resources, particularly on supplies from China and the United States. The discussion highlighted that, given the realities of a globalised world, fully eliminating this dependence is unlikely. Instead, greater emphasis should be placed on diversification of suppliers and the search for reliable partners.

The speakers agreed that while the defence industry plays a crucial role in the current security environment, it faces a number of structural challenges, including uncertain future demand and limited political willingness for deeper integration. At the same time, there remains potential for further development, especially if cooperation between the public and private sectors across the European Union can be strengthened.

The event concluded with a discussion involving the audience, which included both students and experts in international relations and security. The lecture thus offered not only an analytical perspective on developments in the European defence industry, but also a broader reflection on its role in the contemporary geopolitical context.