BRUSSELS – The European Union has unveiled plans to promote defense cooperation and wiser military spending as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump warns NATO's European allies to start paying their fair share.
The European Commission said Wednesday that the multibillion-euro plan would fund research into areas like encrypted software or robotics and boost investment in joint projects across member states such as drones or helicopters.
It also aims to ease rules restricting defense procurement across borders, improve industry standards and adapt policies like the EU's space program to security priorities.
The Commission says EU countries have cut defense spending by nearly 12 percent in real terms over the last decade but have failed to deepen military cooperation. It says this lack of cooperation is costing 25-100 billion euros ($27-106 billion) each year.
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