Defense chief rejects claims Germany puts its own arms industry ahead of Europe

BERLIN — German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday pushed back against criticism that Berlin is putting its own arms industry ahead of European defense cooperation, arguing that other countries are doing exactly the same. Speaking at the Berlin Security Conference, Pistorius was responding to Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chair of the European Parliament’s defense committee, who accused Germany of remaining too focused on buying weapons from its own manufacturers instead of working with European partners. “Everyone says, unanimously and every day, not just on Sundays, that we want more defense cooperation and more joint armament projects,” Pistorius said. “But when push comes to shove, every country says, just as unanimously, but each for itself: ‘My industry must not be left behind.’” The dispute highlights a major problem for Europe’s defense ambitions. EU countries want to build stronger armed forces and buy more weapons together, but governments are also keen to protect jobs and factories at home. The numbers show how difficult that cooperation remains. EU countries spent €115 billion on military equipment in 2025, but only 24% of that spending went toward joint purchases, according to the European Defence Agency. Brussels wants that share to reach at least 40% by 2030. The EU has also launched the €150 billion SAFE loans-for-weapons program to encourage countries to buy arms together rather than separately. But national interests continue to get in the way, with governments often reluctant to see major weapons contracts go to companies in other countries. Poland’s government said it wants 89% of the almost €44 billion it is getting in SAFE funds to be spent on domestic industries. Pistorius defended that approach, saying governments also have a responsibility to protect their economies and industries. “I would therefore reject the criticism in your question,” he told Strack-Zimmermann. “And if there is criticism to be made, it should not be directed at Germany, but at literally all Europeans with a defense industry.”