Overview
- The Sparta2 appeal, published Thursday, sets out a detailed path to European defense autonomy across the full military chain.
- The authors cost priority programs at €150–200 billion through 2030 and about €500 billion in the following decade, framed as roughly €50 billion a year in redirected spending.
- The plan calls for “coalitions of the willing” led by Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Poland, with Nordic, Baltic and Dutch partners focusing on sea lanes and coastal defense.
- It flags ten urgent gaps such as air defense, drones, secure communications and electronic warfare, with 3–5 year gains possible for interceptor drones and alternatives to Patriot, and longer timelines for satellites and rocket launches.
- The group urges shifting procurement to European firms and startups with outcome‑based contracts, noting that recent German drone buys are only small first steps and that no formal, coordinated coalitions have formed yet.