Carinthia in focus: strong defense and innovation for Europe!

Carinthia in focus: strong defense and innovation for Europe!

Kärnten, Österreich - On June 20, 2025, an important meeting of the FK Econ Econ of Economics from the regions committee took place in Carinthia. The focus of this meeting was on the "Rearm Europe" defense program, the European AI campaign plan and the role of regions in relation to innovation and security. The governor of Carinthia, Peter Kaiser, emphasized the need to strengthen the defense capacity of Europe and to promote determination and solidarity in this area. This is of central importance against the background of the continuing threats from the Russian attack war in Ukraine and the escalating conflicts in the Middle East.

The “Rearm Europe” program provides for investments of up to 800 billion euros to be used in a targeted manner to strengthen territorial cohesion in the EU. However, Kaiser also warned that security should not go at the expense of social justice and the development of structurally weaker regions. Carinthia wants to position itself as a dynamic high technology location that unites innovative strength and sustainability.

security strategies and investments

A central component of the debates was the white book on European defense, which was presented by the European Commission and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. This white book describes a new approach to defense and identifies the investment needs in the defense skills of the EU member states. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noticed that the era of the peace dividend was over and emphasized the need to intensify the defense efforts in Europe.

The white book underlines the chronic lack of investment and inefficient expenditure for military skills in Europe. The main focus of action includes closing ability gaps, the support of the European defense industry by simplified regulations and the expansion of the European internal market for defense. An innovative approach concerns the introduction of the instrument "Security measures for Europe (safe)", which is intended to mobilize up to 150 billion euros for defense investments.

strategic industrial development

In addition, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have also presented a first strategy for the European Defense Industry. This strategy aims to promote the competitiveness and operational readiness of the defense industry in Europe. Member States are encouraged to invest more effectively and collectively in these sectors in order to strengthen their own defense skills and that of the EU as a whole.

The Russian war of attack on Ukraine has clearly shown the need for a structured approach to defense. The Commission emphasizes that by 2030 the EU-internal defense trade should make up at least 35% of the defense market. In addition, shared European procurement should achieve up to 40%. A long -term goal stipulates that the Member States will invest at least 50% of their defense budget in the EU by 2030, with an increase to 60% by 2035.

Overall, the discussion in Carinthia illustrates urgency not only to improve military mobility and strengthen the external borders, but also to strengthen global partnerships. These steps are crucial to meet the challenges of today and to guarantee security in Europe. It is a clear call to invest in the defense structures in both technologies and AI and in substantial investments.

For further background information on these developments, the reports of the click Carinthia Germany] (https://germany.represation.ec.europa.eu/news/zur-zukun-der-uropaische-weissbuch-und-rearm-europe-2025-03-19_de) and the [strategy for the defense industry EU level] (https://germany.represation.ec.europa.eu/news/strategie-und-drogramm-fur-die-eu-eu-eu-owl industries. 2024-05_de) are consulted.