"Let's start with a fact: in 1989, before the fall of the Berlin Wall, defense spending in the budgets of EU and NATO countries averaged 4%. In 2020, it stood at around 1.3%. It was the so-called peace dividend, generated by the collapse of communism, which however weakened us in terms of military capabilities."
Thus to QN the president of Leonardo Spa, Stefano Pontecorvo. «Now we need to rebuild - he adds - we need in particular land vehicles, heavy and light tanks. But we also need digital skills for electronic warfare, cyber and satellite capabilities for observation and intelligence, without forgetting ammunition and missiles».
"This is why Minister Crosetto insisted on the need to double the production capacity of missiles. And I completely agree." With regard to drones, "we have entered into a joint venture with the best in the world in this field: the Turks of Baykar. They will produce the platform, we will take care of the payload, that is, the useful load. Together we will go to the European and world market with a product of excellence."
The joint venture with the German Rheinmetall on tanks is considered another strategic choice: "It is the best European industry in the construction of armored and armored vehicles. But it is not our only interest in Germany."
The world has changed and instability does not bring development, he then says: "I fear that those who still think with the schemes of the last century are wrong: in the face of a possible aggression we cannot be found unprepared. Also because the United States has made it clear that Europe must provide for its own defense. If once we could count 100% on the Americans, today we must be truly autonomous in terms of security".
(Online Union)
