A European-level review process is needed for all non-EU defence foreign investment

Recent military actions in North Africa and the Middle-East suggest that Europe is heading towards a more active role in defence policy. However the EU’s member states, facing rising costs and reduced spending on defence due to the eurocrisis, are increasingly turning to foreign defence investment to take pressure off national budgets. Daniel Fiott warns that unchecked foreign investment in Europe’s defence industries may entail risks, such as the transfer of technology and classified information. He argues that the EU should supervise this investment to safeguard Europe’s growing defence industry.