Almost five years after the start of the Saudi-led intervention, the war in Yemen still rages on. While thousands have died, one actor that has fared well: the European arms industry, write Hans Lammerant and Bram Vranken.
The European Parliament is voting on Thursday (18 April) on the European Defence Fund, a multi-billion military research programme. Not only is this Fund a step in the militarisation of the EU, but it is also undermining European democracy, writes Bram Vranken.
The proposal by the European Commission for a European Defence Fund signifies an unprecedented acceleration in the militarization of the European Union. The only one who stands to benefit is the arms industry – and its capacity to export. It is time the European Parliament wakes up and stops any further attempts to support the arms industry, says Bram Vranken.
Calls for a more militarised Europe have grown and grown, while the EU Council recently concluded that “Europe must commit additional resources” to defence. But increasing military expenditure is not the way forward, warn Bram Vranken and Laëtitia Sédou.
The EU is increasingly taking a pro-military stance, as the arms lobby exercises more influence. The election of Antoni Tajani last week as European Parliament president means the arms industry's influence will grow further in the coming years, warns Bram Vranken.
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