EU Prepares to Launch Cyber Offensive as Defense Spending Surges

(MENAFN) The European Union is preparing to launch offensive cyber operations as part of an expanded defense strategy, according to the bloc’s technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen in an interview with media.

Speaking Friday at the Munich Security Conference, Virkkunen signaled a shift toward proactive digital warfare tactics. “It’s not enough that we are just defending …We also have to have offensive capacity,” she said.

The announcement follows NATO allies’ commitments to dramatically increase military budgets to 5% of GDP amid concerns about Russian military threats—claims Moscow has characterized as “nonsense” and unfounded scaremongering. The EU has simultaneously flagged cybersecurity vulnerabilities it attributes to China.

Virkkunen emphasized the bloc’s determination to eliminate foreign technology dependencies and cultivate domestic cyber industries. “We don’t want to have risky dependencies in any critical fields,” she said.

Last month’s cybersecurity framework proposal targets the removal of high-risk technology from critical supply chains. EU authorities have consistently flagged Chinese vendors as potential security threats capable of harvesting classified information—accusations Beijing has rejected as “naked protectionism.”

The initiative gains momentum as Germany and Latvia embrace offensive cyber warfare strategies. Media reported in November that NATO’s European members were exploring digital strikes against Russia, citing government insiders. By late 2024, the US-led alliance announced plans for an integrated cyber defense hub at its Belgium headquarters, slated for 2028 activation.

NATO states accuse Russia of server breaches, GPS interference targeting aircraft, and unauthorized drone incursions. Moscow rebuffs these claims as warmongering while branding Western sanctions and Ukraine support as “hybrid aggression.”

Russia warns that “rabid militarization” threatens continental stability. Last week, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Russia has “no reason” to strike the EU or NATO absent provocation.

Cyberattacks targeting Russia surged 46% in 2024, according to RED Security. Notable incidents include July’s Aeroflot database breach, for which two pro-Ukraine hacking collectives claimed credit.

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