“When we talk about European cooperation, we must also look at bilateral and regional collaborations. They already have a large extent,” says Haas. “Belgium is a good example of this. Our Navy is almost fully integrated with the Dutch Navy. For the army there will be an important collaboration with France, and in the field of the Air Force we work together within the Benelux and with countries that have also chosen the F-35.”
According to Haas, European defense cooperation will expand even further in the coming years, but a European army will not be discussed for the time being.