Kaja Kallas, the Head of the European Defence Agency (EDA), is working for a “common European vision for defence”, also warning that Russia must not be allowed to prevail in its war against Ukraine.
Speaking during a visit to EDA’s headquarters, Kallas — who is the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission — urged EU Member States to spend wisely and as collaboratively as possible in defence at a time of rising budget demands.
Addressing EDA staff, Kallas said that Member States, EDA, the European Commission and industry are in the process of designing a common European vision for defence.
She stressed the need for close cooperation with Ukraine and within the EU, and to “join forces and break down the barriers between defence policy, capability development and defence industrial policy.”
Kallas also recalled that EDA was at the heart of that vision: “This agency is the catalyst to help Member States grow their military capabilities further, and we have a very clear task at hand: defence readiness by 2030.”
She also laid out what was at stake for Europe and the United States. “If aggression pays off (in Ukraine), it serves as an invitation to use it elsewhere”, she said.
During her visit, Kallas, who was appointed Head of the Agency and EU High Representative in December 2024, held closed-door talks with EDA Chief Executive André Denk, as well as with EDA’s senior management.
As the intergovernmental platform for EU defence, EDA supports Member States through five core tasks:
- Finding common priorities so that EU armed forces have the capabilities they need;
- Supporting joint defence research, technology, and innovation;
- Working together on capability development while making sure systems work together;
- Bringing together demand for joint purchasing to address gaps in capabilities;
- Coordinating with EU policies and representing the positions of Ministries of Defence.
Capability development means helping countries build and maintain the equipment, technology, skills, and systems they need to operate effectively. This includes planning new capabilities, designing and acquiring equipment, training personnel, and making sure everything works together across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains.
EDA also supports a range of services to Member States, missions, and EU bodies, including satellite communications, maritime surveillance, air medical evacuation, diplomatic clearances for cross-border movements, and cyber defence. Kallas stressed the importance of that work.
