The European Union (EU) is seeking to establish security and defense industrial partnerships with Japan and South Korea to jointly develop weapon equipment. The EU has already established security and defense partnerships with non-EU European countries such as Norway, but forming similar partnerships with Asian countries would be a first.
According to a senior official from the European Commission who spoke to Nikkei News, the EU is exploring defense cooperation with Japan and South Korea. The official stated that the security environment in Europe and Asia is undergoing significant changes, and they hope to develop partnerships with Japan and South Korea for closer cooperation.
The EU’s goal is to reach a ministerial-level agreement with Japan by the end of this year. There have been proposals to increase opportunities for Japanese companies to participate in EU-led defense research and development projects. The EU may provide funding for projects between Japanese and European companies.
Collaboration with European companies can offer Japan opportunities to enhance defense technology, reduce costs, and expand hardware sales channels. For the EU, the partnership would lay the foundation for defense industrial cooperation with Japan, providing opportunities for joint equipment development and increasing procurement sources.
Meanwhile, South Korea is also increasing weapons exports to Europe. South Korea is facing challenges from North Korea. Russia and North Korea reached a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty on Wednesday, including mutual military support during crises.
The EU is also considering cooperation in areas such as space, cybersecurity, disinformation, and maritime security. Japan’s partnership plans include nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation cooperation, which is significant for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The EU is concerned about Russia’s cyberattacks and fake news that could impact member states’ elections, while Japan is working to counter cyberattacks and disinformation from China.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has heightened Japan’s concerns about a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Given its geographical location, a conflict in the Taiwan Strait would pose a threat to Japan’s security. Japan has repeatedly stated, “What affects Taiwan is of great concern to Japan,” and is striving to double defense spending while enhancing defense cooperation with Western allies.
Last December, Japan signed an international agreement with the UK and Italy to deepen defense cooperation. The three governments will establish a joint official headquarters and industry sector to jointly develop a new generation fighter jet. Before signing the agreement, the three countries announced the launch of the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) to develop a fighter jet starting in 2025 and introduce it by 2035. It is expected that this fighter jet will integrate the three countries’ cutting-edge air combat technologies including stealth capabilities and high-tech sensors.
About two weeks ago, US and Japanese officials held talks in Tokyo to accelerate defense industrial cooperation, with a focus on naval maintenance issues in Japan.
US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel explained that repairing US Navy ships and Air Force planes deployed in the region in Japan would free up American industrial capacity, allowing US shipyards to concentrate on building more warships.
The Ambassador also mentioned that other potential cooperation between the US and Japan includes missile production and creating flexibility in the military supply chain.
Japan is also seeking deeper defense cooperation with the US and the Philippines, and last week held maritime joint exercises in the South China Sea with the US, Canada, and the Philippines.