US defence firms chase European military spending wave
That tension has been notably absent at this week's Paris Airshow, where US lawmakers and arms manufacturers pledged greater transatlantic partnership as Europe ramps up spending on everything from artillery shells and fighter jets to missile defence systems. "We understand that our allies and partners are a force multiplier, so we are stronger when we are working together," US Senator Jerry Moran, a member of Trump's Republican party, told reporters at the show, the world's largest aerospace and defence gathering.
Moran, whose delegation was supporting US weapons makers, said it was in Paris to send a message that the US "is a dependable and reliable partner". The conciliatory tone stands in stark contrast to the Trump administration's recent string of disparaging remarks about Europe and its defence industry. "I think antagonising our allies does not make us stronger," Democrat Senator Jeanne Shaheen told reporters in Paris, expressing her desire to cement defence relations with Europe.
Despite pledges by many European nations to boost military self-sufficiency, the continent remains heavily reliant on US defence manufacturers, said Reuters.
For instance, Europe buys American-made fighter jets and missiles from Lockheed Martin, Patriot missile defence systems from Raytheon Technologies and military jets and helicopters built by Boeing. In emerging military areas, like artificial intelligence, drones and satellite constellations, US tech firms like Anduril, Palantir and Elon Musk's SpaceX are far ahead, quotes Reuters.
US firms are hoping to press home their advantage as European military spending surges, including through partnerships which are a way to soften any potential diplomatic tensions, delegates said.
US drone-maker Anduril and German defence giant Rheinmetall said on Wednesday they will link up to build military drones for European markets, in a sign of Europe leveraging American technology to boost military capabilities. Thomas Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, said there were no easy replacements for its weapons in Europe and he expected the firm to maintain a long-term footprint on the continent, including through new partnerships.
Laliberty said Raytheon was close to announcing a plan to manufacture Stingers — a lightweight air defence missile used by Ukrainian forces against Russia — in Europe. "For immediate needs, Raytheon is well positioned to support the European demand," Laliberty told reporters in Paris. "We have a very bright future here."
Boeing, which won a contract from Trump's administration to develop the next-generation F-47 fighter jet this year, said Europe and the US would remain long-term partners despite political wobbles, partly to hold off the Chinese threat.
"Nobody can do it themselves - maybe the Chinese can try, but certainly the rest of us, we are going to have to work together," said Turbo Sjogren, Boeing's general manager for government services.
"To do otherwise takes too long and will be unaffordable."
The chairman of Italian aerospace and defence group Leonardo , Stefano Pontecorvo, added that US participation in some European programmes would be "unavoidable" in coming years due to the defence technologies available to them.
European rivals were bullish about their future growth prospects but said budget constraints and a lack of regional alliances were holding back progress, conceding that they would continue to need significant US support.
"National sovereignty matters but fragmentation is detrimental. We need to find a way to hit a balance," Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani told reporters on Tuesday. Jean-Brice Dumont, head of air power, defence and space at Airbus, said Europe's dependence on the US was "very high".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
an hour ago
- Al Etihad
Trump and Putin end Alaska summit without Ukraine deal
16 Aug 2025 09:02 ANCHORAGE (AFP)US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin made no breakthrough on Ukraine at their high-stakes summit on Friday, pointing to areas of agreement and rekindling a friendship but offering no news on a an abrupt ending to three hours of talks with aides, Trump and Putin offered warm words but took no questions from reporters.'We're not there yet, but we've made progress. There's no deal until there's a deal,' Trump called the meeting "extremely productive" with "many points" agreed, although he did not offer specifics.'There are just a very few that are left, some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant,' Trump said without also spoke in general terms of cooperation in a joint press appearance that lasted just 12 minutes.'We hope that the understanding we have reached will... pave the way for peace in Ukraine,' Putin Trump mused about a second meeting, Putin smiled and said in English: 'Next time in Moscow.'Putin also tried to flatter Trump, who had voted admiration for the Russian leader in the past. He told Trump he agreed with him that the Ukraine war, which Putin ordered, would not have happened if Trump were the summit, Trump had warned of 'severe consequences' if Russia did not accept a ceasefire. But when asked about those consequences during a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity after the talks, Trump said that "because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that now."The friendly reception contrasted with Trump's berating of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when he met him at the White House in earlier said he wanted a three-way meeting with Zelensky but did not announce one at the summit. Instead, Trump said he would now consult Zelensky as well as NATO leaders, who have voiced unease about the US leader's outreach to Putin.'Now it's really up to President Zelensky to get it done,' Trump said in the Fox News interview after the invited Putin just a week ago and ensured there was some carefully choreographed drama for their first in-person meeting since two leaders arrived in their respective presidential jets and descended on the tarmac of an air base, with Trump clapping as Putin appeared. US military might had been on display with a B-2 stealth bomber flying grinned widely as Trump took the unusual step of escorting him into "The Beast," the secure US presidential limousine, before a meeting in a room before a screen that said -- in English only -- "Pursuing Peace."Putin smiled and joked with Russian reporters on the had insisted he would be firm with Putin. While he was traveling to Alaska, the White House announced that Trump had scrapped a plan to see Putin alone and he instead held the talks alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his roving envoy Steve was not included and has refused pressure from Trump to surrender territory seized by Russia. 'It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America,' Zelensky said in a social media post.
Arabian Post
2 hours ago
- Arabian Post
US Government Eyes Stake in Intel Amid Chip Manufacturing Push
The U. S. government is reportedly negotiating a potential stake in semiconductor giant Intel, as part of efforts to bolster the nation's chip manufacturing capabilities. According to sources familiar with the matter, the deal could be a significant move in Washington's ongoing strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing of critical technologies, particularly semiconductors. Intel has been facing mounting challenges in the competitive semiconductor industry, with delays in its manufacturing projects, including the much-anticipated Ohio chip factory. The U. S. government's interest in taking an equity stake in the company signals a broader push to reduce dependency on foreign chip production, especially from Asia, and ensure the security of critical supply chains. This move is seen as part of a strategic initiative to revitalise America's technological leadership and secure its position in global markets. Intel's Ohio facility, which is poised to become one of the largest semiconductor manufacturing plants in the world, has faced delays partly due to supply chain disruptions and increasing construction costs. The involvement of the U. S. government could provide much-needed capital and oversight, accelerating the development of the plant and helping Intel compete more effectively with rival manufacturers, particularly Taiwan's TSMC and South Korea's Samsung, who have been expanding their presence in the U. S. market. ADVERTISEMENT The discussions come on the heels of significant policy shifts, such as the CHIPS Act, passed by Congress in 2022, which aims to incentivise semiconductor manufacturing on American soil. The act includes $52 billion in subsidies for semiconductor companies to develop and expand production facilities within the United States. By taking a stake in Intel, the government would not only provide financial support but could also play a role in shaping the company's long-term strategy in an increasingly geopolitical semiconductor landscape. Intel's shift towards increasing domestic production comes at a time when geopolitical tensions and supply chain issues have exposed vulnerabilities in global chip supply chains. These concerns were particularly underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to widespread shortages and underscored the need for diversified production capabilities. As the U. S. government navigates this complex environment, its stake in Intel could also be seen as an effort to counter China's rising influence in the semiconductor space, which is a growing concern for U. S. policymakers. For Intel, the U. S. government's involvement could provide the company with a much-needed financial cushion to accelerate its plans. With Intel's long-term ambitions to manufacture leading-edge chips in the U. S., this partnership could be a critical factor in its race to catch up with competitors who have already established more advanced production processes. Industry experts suggest that the collaboration between the government and Intel could reshape the dynamics of semiconductor production in the U. S. The push for a self-sufficient chip supply chain could lead to a wave of investment in U. S.-based manufacturing plants, potentially creating thousands of jobs and boosting local economies. The implications for the broader tech sector are also significant, as the development of these high-tech manufacturing plants could drive further innovation and research in the field of semiconductor design and fabrication. However, some analysts caution that while the partnership could provide substantial benefits, it also comes with risks. The involvement of the government in a private company could lead to concerns about political interference in business decisions, especially in an industry as vital to national security as semiconductor manufacturing. Critics argue that the focus should be on creating an environment that encourages private sector growth without overt government involvement. As discussions continue, it remains unclear how much of a stake the U. S. government would take in Intel and the specific terms of the agreement. However, the move is widely seen as part of a broader strategy to revitalise the U. S. semiconductor industry and ensure that it is equipped to meet the growing demand for chips in everything from consumer electronics to military technology.
Gulf Today
2 hours ago
- Gulf Today
VIDEO: Trump, Putin shake hands at start of Alaska summit
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin shook hands and smiled at an air base in Alaska on Friday as they opened a high-risk summit that will test the US president's promise to end the bloody war in Ukraine. In choreographed drama, Trump and Putin each arrived in their presidential jets and walked under gray skies to greet each other on the tarmac, before walking a red carpet together to an honor guard salute. As fighter jets circled overhead, a reporter shouted audibly to Putin, "Will you stop killing civilians?" Neither leader answered as they posed at a podium that said "Alaska 2025" before Putin -- in a highly unusual move -- followed Trump into the US presidential limousine. For the Russian president, the summit marks his first foray onto Western soil since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering a relentless conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people. Both leaders have voiced hopes of a productive meeting. But while Trump warned he could judge it a failure after just a few minutes if Putin does not budge, the Kremlin said the two would speak for at least six or seven hours. In recent days Russia has made battlefield gains that could strengthen Putin's hand in any ceasefire negotiations, although Ukraine announced as Putin was flying that it had retaken some villages. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Anchorage, Trump sounded a positive note. "There's a good respect level on both sides and I think something's going to come out of it," he said. Trump has insisted he will be firm with Putin, after coming under some of the most heated criticism of his presidency for appearing cowed during a 2018 summit in Helsinki. The White House on Friday abruptly announced that Trump was scrapping a plan to see Putin alone and instead would be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his roving envoy Steve Witkoff before a working lunch. Every word and gesture will be closely watched by European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not included and has refused pressure from Trump to surrender territory seized by Russia. "It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America," Zelensky said in a social media post. Trump has called the summit a "feel-out meeting" to test Putin, whom he last saw in 2019, and said Friday he was not going to Alaska to negotiate. "I'm here to get them at the table," he said of the Russian and Ukrainian leaders. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would not forecast the outcome of the meeting. "We never make any predictions ahead of time," Lavrov told Russian state TV after he reached Alaska, wearing what appeared to be a shirt with "USSR" written across it in Cyrillic script. Trump has promised to consult with European leaders and Zelensky, saying that any final agreement would come in a three-way meeting with Putin and the Ukrainian president to "divvy up" territory. Trump has boasted of his relationship with Putin, blamed predecessor Joe Biden for the war, and had vowed before his return to the White House in January that he would be able to bring peace within 24 hours. But despite repeated calls to Putin, and a February 28 White House meeting in which Trump publicly berated Zelensky, the Russian leader has shown no signs of compromise. Saying he "would walk" from the table if the meeting didn't go well, Trump told reporters he "wouldn't be happy" if a ceasefire could not be secured immediately. The talks were taking place at Elmendorf Air Force Base, the largest US military installation in Alaska and a Cold War facility for surveillance of the former Soviet Union. Adding to the historical significance, the United States bought Alaska in 1867 from Russia -- a deal Moscow has cited to show the legitimacy of land swaps. Neither leader is expected to step off the base into Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, where protesters have put up signs of solidarity with Ukraine. The summit marks a sharp change in approach from Western European leaders and Biden, who vowed not to hold discussions with Russia on Ukraine unless Kyiv was also involved. Agence France-Presse
