Bloomberg News: Future of European Defence
How will industry and government react to the huge global political changes that we have seen in recent months - the 15 largest European members of NATO might have to ramp up military investment by as much as $340 billion annually as they manage threats on their doorstep. How much of that can be spent locally, what impact might that have on countries' growth and how able is Europe to deepen defence and security collaboration to keep costs down?
Shares of European defense companies have greatly outperformed those of US defense prime contractors and the broader markets since the US presidential election. The war in Ukraine gives Europe a clear road map for defense investments, but money alone isn’t enough.
To stand on its own, Europe needs to prioritize force readiness, integrated command and control, and coordinated procurement. Germany and Poland are best placed to deliver sustained increases, supported by relatively low debt and favorable political conditions. France and the UK remain committed but face fiscal constraints, whilst Italy and Spain are hampered by fragmented politics, strained public finances, and less direct security pressure. Learn more about this complex picture in a session including:
- Short documentary screening on UK defence spending constraints
- Bloomberg Intelligence briefing
- Panel discussion on the geopolitical, military and financial aspects of strengthening Europe's security
There will be an opportunity for live Q&A during the Panel Discussion.
Register today and bring your team along if you want to understand the context that will shape Europe's next decade.
Speakers
George Ferguson
Senior Analyst
Bloomberg Intelligence
George Ferguson IV is a senior aerospace, defense & airline analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. George specializes in global aerospace, defense and air transport, leading research on the return of the Boeing 737 Max. Prior to joining Bloomberg, George was a senior investment analyst focused on industrial companies for global equity and debt funds at BlackRock and Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. He is also a former US Army intelligence officer, serving as the battalion intelligence officer (S2) for the 744th Military Police Battalion deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. George began his 14-year Army Reserve career as an infantry soldier in a mechanized infantry battalion. He earned his MBA from the Graduate School of Management at Rutgers University and is a CFA charter holder and a private pilot.
Marc Champion
Columnist, International Affairs
Bloomberg
Marc Champion is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Europe, Russia and the Middle East. He was previously Istanbul bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal.
Rosalind Mathieson
EMEA News Director
Bloomberg
Rosalind Mathieson is a News Director at Bloomberg, overseeing coverage for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She specializes in business and economics, with a focus on critical topics such as Hungary, Ukraine, China, and the geopolitical implications of Putin's Russia. Rosalind's work has been featured in notable publications including Business Standard, Yahoo Finance Canada, and the Sunday Times.