Pistorius rejects criticism of Germany’s defence purchasing priorities
Germany’s defence minister says protecting domestic arms makers is common across the EU, as joint procurement accounts for 24 per cent of equipment spending.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius rejected accusations on 4 November 2026 that Germany favours domestic weapons producers over European cooperation. Addressing the Berlin Security Conference, he argued that governments across the EU seek to safeguard their own defence industries despite supporting joint projects.
He was answering Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who chairs the European Parliament’s defence committee. She had criticised Germany for concentrating too heavily on purchases from German manufacturers rather than cooperating with European partners. Pistorius said governments also had a duty to protect their economies and industries, and that the criticism should apply to all European countries with arms manufacturers.
The debate comes as the EU seeks to expand joint procurement. European Defence Agency figures put EU countries’ military equipment spending at €115 billion in 2025, with joint purchases accounting for only 24 per cent. The EU wants that proportion to reach at least 40 per cent by 2030.
The EU’s €150 billion SAFE programme provides loans intended to encourage countries to purchase weapons together. However, Poland’s government has said it wants domestic industries to receive 89 per cent of the almost €44 billion it is getting through SAFE. Pistorius defended governments’ efforts to protect their industrial interests.
