# Pistorius defends German arms industry priority

> Germany's defence minister rejects criticism that Berlin favours domestic weapons makers over European cooperation, saying all EU nations do the same.
- Title: Pistorius defends German arms industry priority · POLITICO
- Summary: Germany's defence minister rejects criticism that Berlin favours domestic weapons makers over European cooperation, saying all EU nations do the same…
- Keywords: boris pistorius, germany, defence spending, european defence, arms industry, marie-agnes strack-zimmermann, POLITICO
- Source: POLITICO — https://politico.eu/article/pistorius-verteidigt-bevorzugung-der-deutschen-industrie-bei-ruestungsausgaben
- Published: 2026-11-04T10:47:02+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: boris pistorius, germany, defence spending, european defence, arms industry, marie-agnes strack-zimmermann, politics, world
## Pistorius rejects industry priority claim
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius rejected criticism that Germany prioritises its arms industry over European defence cooperation. He said Germany wants collaboration and acts like other nations.
## The European defence spending gap
In twenty twenty-five, EU countries spent one hundred fifteen billion euros on military equipment. Only twenty-four percent went to joint purchases, though Brussels wants forty percent by twenty thirty.
## Every nation protects its own industry
Pistorius said all EU governments claim to want defence cooperation, but each ultimately says its own industry must not fall behind. Poland declared it would spend eighty-nine percent of its SAFE funding domestically.

> Aber wenn es hart auf hart kommt, sagt jedes Land ebenso einstimmig, aber jeder für sich: 'Meine Industrie darf nicht ins Hintertreffen geraten.'
## Key takeaway

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius defended Germany's focus on domestic arms makers, arguing all European governments protect their own defence industries.