Among the many ideas contained in the document, I
would like to mention two that are also complementary. One
is the need to thoroughly adapt future Defence capabilities
to a multiform security scenario in which human security,
with all its implications, is going to be the new core. A human
security that is going to be intertwined with the concepts of
security and defence of every country. This leads us to do
our homework, to have to move out of our comfort zone. The
classic planning... Some things will continue to be valid and
others will have to be changed. It is no longer a question of
wishing to have the most advanced technology, but to look for
what is really useful for the protection of our citizens.
On the other hand, we need to work toward recovery on
two levels: national and European. We must find a balance
between an industrial niche —I would not say a defence
industrial niche, but rather a national industrial one, part of
a broad technological potential— enabling a certain level
of sufficiency. And, at the same time, the integration of
European chains, which is the only
way to actually guarantee that we
will be able to withstand the first
few challenges. In Europe there is
a real guarantee of supply, of both
own and shared self-sufficiency. But
without undermining our great ally on
the other side of the Atlantic, since
an effective multilateralism will be
impossible without bridges.
We need to strengthen those
bridges. It is not a question of
administrations, but rather of citizens,
Tercio de Armada
countries, history, links and alliances. It is about having a
broad vision. First of all, national and European, and then
a growing commitment and vision, also within the Atlantic
Alliance.
Moreover, as I often say, in order to build this more global
planet, we must be more generous to those who we accuse
today of being the cause of disinformation and unusual
competitiveness. We should not be too naïve. Most fake news
items are generated in our own societies and only 10 per cent
of them are coming from foreign powers.
Without these steps, the European Union will not succeed
in being the anchor, the stability enclave that both we and the
world need. Because only the European Union has enough
muscle to put together the very comprehensive instruments
we require, including sufficient financial muscle.
I have great confidence in the amazing European DNA,
which is essentially summarized in an
exasperating slowness in decision-making
(a task that usually takes at least
all night), but then, at the same time, in
an extraordinary capability to forge new
paths on which Europe never retreats.
Good proof of this is the expression
of will to prove that European Defence
makes perfect sense, contained in the
letter that the four Defence Ministers of
Spain, France, Germany and Italy have
addressed to the High Representative
and to all their European counterparts.
Human security
is going to be
the new core
in the defence
concepts of
every country
August 2020 Revista Española de Defensa 15