The European Commission is about to unveil an extensive emergency stockpiling strategy to make the bloc more resilient to war, cyberattacks, and climate disasters. In the draft strategy, viewed by the Financial Times, the Commission lays down proposals to establish EU-wide stockpiles of strategic materials and infrastructural materials like rare earth elements, cable repair kits, and nuclear fuel, the Financial Times reported.
Citing an "increasing and deteriorating risk environment," the Commission warns the EU to be on the lookout for increased hybrid and cyber threats, increased geopolitical tensions, and supply chain failures. The strategy is part of a broader push to enhance the bloc's preparedness in an era of mounting security challenges.
Strategic reserves for critical infrastructure
High on the list are emergency stockpiles of cable repair kits for underwater energy and communications cables that have been targets of potential sabotage. The document cites recent incidents of undersea pipes and information cables being damaged as proof of the growing vulnerability of Europe.
The Commission said that to "enable speedy recovery from energy or optical cable outages," such modules would be part of new EU-managed stockpiles, and rare earths and permanent magnets used in defence and renewable energy technologies.
It also requests backups at member state level of the essential supplies such as food, medicines, and nuclear fuel, with EU-level coordination to avoid duplication and facilitate quick mobilization in case of emergencies.
A continent under threat
The strategy comes amid EU security officials expressing concern at potential Russian aggression and increased activity by cybercrime gangs and state actors. Germany's top soldier, General Carsten Breuer, has recently warned that Russia could be capable of striking an EU country within four years.
Europe is also battling worsening climate change impacts, with increased wildfires, flooding, and extreme weather events. The EU is warming at twice the global rate. Island wildfires in Crete this week forced thousands to be evacuated, pointing to the need for disaster planning.
The new strategy would be complemented by existing EU crisis-response assets, which include a squadron of firefighting aircraft, mobile hospitals, and stockpiles of necessary medical equipment placed across 22 member states.
Regional readiness and public-private collaboration
To address unbalanced readiness within the bloc, the Commission proposes setting up a "stockpiling network" that would help synchronize planning among member states. It stated that currently, there is a "limited common understanding of which key goods are needed" in various forms of emergencies.
The FAQ also calls for regularly updated lists of basic equipment at the regional level and encourages governments to activate the private sector through incentives like tax credits. These programs would be coordinated with NATO allies and other partners through co-owned infrastructure and shared warehouse.
The strategy follows to demands last year from former Finnish president Sauli Niinistö, who urged the EU to treat security as a "public good" and set minimum targets for crisis preparedness, including armed conflict and failure of global supply chains.
The Commission said that the funding needs of stockpiling activities will be factored into its upcoming proposals for the EU's multiannual budget, to be released later this month. The draft report, to be issued officially next week, can be changed beforehand.
As tensions heighten across the world and climate change exacerbates its effects, Brussels' proposal marks a new chapter in the long-term resilience strategy of the EU—one that recognizes the imperative for preparedness not only in military or cyber spaces, but in every area of society.
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