If we spend extra money on defense on products from the shelf from the USA, we cement our dependence on others, says Michael Schoellhorn, head of the aircraft manufacturer Airbus' defense division, to the German newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine, reports AFP.
Not least, fighter jets from the USA, such as the F-35, have outcompeted European alternatives – such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, which is partly owned by Airbus – in several countries on the continent.
At the same time, a deep security policy rift has emerged between Europe and President Donald Trump's new government in Washington.
Schoellhorn points to Trump's aggressive tone in attempts to gain American supremacy over Greenland, while Denmark has purchased F-35.
The Danes are now realizing that this may not be such a good idea, if they ever needed to defend Greenland, he says.
Airbus is primarily known for manufacturing civilian passenger aircraft, but is also behind, among other things, the military transport aircraft C-295, in addition to the Eurofighter.
