Europe's defence industry must not sever industrial ties with the US, as it cannot supply all needed weapons alone, warned Morten Brandtzæg, chief executive of ammunition producer Nammo. "I see the ramp-up not as just a European effort, it's an Allied effort between all Nato countries including the US," he said. Brandtzæg stressed that Europe cannot supply itself solely and cited Nammo's role in producing rocket-motor engines for AMRAAM missiles used on US F-35 fighter jets, manufactured at its hub in Raufoss, Norway, before assembly by US defence group Raytheon. With European governments seeking to reduce dependence on US weapons amid strained relations with Donald Trump's administration, Brandtzæg cautioned that "short-term politics must not destroy the long-term ambition of standing shoulder to shoulder." Delays of US-made Patriot air defence systems have pushed waiting times into the next decade, prompting Denmark to sign a contract for the Franco-Italian SAMP-T NG system.

Patrice Caine, chief executive of France's Thales, said a dozen countries expressed interest. Nammo is increasing US production to free capacity in Europe.