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A top German intelligence official has called for European countries to create their own intelligence-sharing network, arguing that Europe can no longer rely solely on US intel.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, the United States has recently cut the intelligence it shares with Ukraine, sparking frustration and concern among European allies who fear similar restrictions could be imposed on them. Adding to these fears, there are now discussions that Starlink, a satellite network owned by Elon Musk and critical to Ukraine’s battlefield communications, could also be restricted or shut off, which would severely impact Ukrainian military operations. Meanwhile, MAXAR Technologies, a US-based satellite imaging company that previously provided high-resolution imagery to Ukraine, has stopped doing so, further limiting Ukraine’s access to crucial battlefield intelligence.
What’s going on now: In an interview with Politico, Konstantin von Notz, chairman of Germany’s intelligence oversight committee, called for the creation of a European intelligence-sharing network to reduce dependence on the United States. “We need a European intelligence cooperation format—call it ‘Euro Eyes’—to ensure that strong states can exchange information swiftly and securely on clear legal grounds,” von Notz stated. He stressed that recent disruptions in intelligence-sharing with the US have exposed Europe’s vulnerabilities, making it clear that “there is no way around increasing our own intelligence capabilities in the future.”
Von Notz acknowledged that while European countries benefit from intelligence exchanges with the Five Eyes alliance (the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), they cannot afford to rely solely on this network. His proposal aligns with broader EU discussions on expanding intelligence cooperation, including a report commissioned by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which recommended a more integrated European intelligence framework.
The German lawmaker also pushed back against the notion that intelligence-sharing has been a one-way street between Europe and the United States. “It has never been a one-way street—Germany, along with other partners, also contributes to intelligence endeavors for the US,” von Notz told Politico.
This all comes as European countries are actively seeking to reduce their reliance on the United States for defense equipment, munitions, and overall security infrastructure. In recent years, European leaders have pushed for greater defense autonomy, ramping up domestic arms production and exploring alternative suppliers to avoid being beholden to US policies and export restrictions. France and Germany have spearheaded projects like the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) to develop next-generation European fighter jets and tanks, aiming to lessen dependence on American military technology.
Meanwhile, the European Defence Fund (EDF) has been expanded to finance homegrown defense projects, and NATO’s European members have increasingly turned to South Korea, Israel, and domestic manufacturers for weapons and ammunition.
