New ASD president calls for €100 billion EU defence fund
Incoming ASD President Micael Johansson calls for €100 billion EU defence fund to address capability gaps and strengthen European security amid growing geopolitical threats.
In a recent interview with Euronews by journalist Alice Tidey, incoming ASD President Micael Johansson advocated for a substantial increase in collaborative European defence funding, suggesting that a €100 billion EU defence fund could help address capability gaps across the continent.
Speaking at the European Defence and Security Summit in Brussels last week, Micael Johansson acknowledged that while the European Commission's initiatives to boost defence spending are moving in the right direction, more coordinated action is needed to facilitate joint development and acquisition of defence systems.
"Maybe it's wishful thinking, but if countries actually would be prepared to spend portions of their defence budget into a fund ... that would create a common fund which could be worked upon in terms of launching flagship projects," Micael Johansson told Euronews.
European defence capability gaps
Johansson highlighted that European defence companies can meet most of the continent's needs but lag behind their US counterparts in critical areas including integrated air missile systems, long-range strike capabilities, and sophisticated autonomous systems such as advanced drones.
With uncertainty surrounding Washington's long-term commitment to European defence as the US pivots resources toward the Indo-Pacific region, Johansson emphasised that "flagship" projects could benefit from a more European approach and joint financing. This could involve member states or companies forming coalitions to develop common systems.
Why the €100 billion matters
Johansson's call for a €100 billion EU defence fund reflects the scale of investment needed to ensure European security and prosperity. Current EU defence programmes allocate €1.5 billion over 2025-2027, but capability gaps require significantly larger commitments.
This investment would enable Europe to develop sovereign capabilities in critical areas, and don’t just provide military advantage – they form part of the technological foundation for European industrial competitiveness and innovation leadership.
For European citizens, this conversation matters because it's ultimately about preserving freedom, prosperity, and security. The technical details of defence financing may seem distant, but their implications touch every aspect of modern European society.
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