The push for self-reliance has become a defining theme in global politics, especially after the pandemic, climate-related shocks, and the war in Ukraine. In the defense sector, that idea is increasingly tied to Europe’s effort to strengthen its own industrial base and reduce vulnerabilities in supply and production.
But the core argument is that defense independence does not mean isolation. Building a stronger domestic defense industry still requires partnerships, shared investment, and coordination across borders. In practice, countries that want greater control over weapons production, procurement, and supply chains may need to cooperate more, not less.
That creates a central tension for policymakers. Governments want resilience and strategic autonomy, yet modern defense manufacturing depends on complex networks, specialized components, and long development timelines. Trying to produce everything nationally can be costly and inefficient, while deeper cooperation can improve scale and readiness.
The result is a broader rethink of what self-reliance actually means. Rather than going it alone, the emerging view is that a more independent defense posture is built through trusted alliances, coordinated industry planning, and a stronger shared capacity to respond to future crises.
