Europe’s leading technology firms, including aerospace heavyweight Airbus, have urged the European Union to adopt bold measures to strengthen the continent’s technological independence. In an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a coalition of tech executives proposed creating a “Sovereign Infrastructure Fund,” aimed at securing Europe’s future in critical digital technologies.
The proposed fund would direct significant public investment toward essential, capital-intensive sectors such as quantum computing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. The signatories argue that Europe’s current reliance on technology providers outside the region exposes it to security vulnerabilities and hampers its economic competitiveness. By investing directly in local infrastructure and technology, Europe could significantly reduce external dependencies.
In advocating this strategy, the coalition also pushed for a “buy European” approach in public-sector technology procurement. The adoption of such policies would encourage innovation within Europe and allow homegrown technology providers to scale effectively in a market traditionally dominated by global competitors from the U.S. and Asia.
Supporters believe that fostering self-reliance in key digital sectors will not only enhance Europe’s economic resilience but also mitigate strategic vulnerabilities related to data security and technological dependence. They stress the importance of collaboration among EU nations, highlighting cross-border partnerships as critical to nurturing successful technology ecosystems across the continent.
This initiative is part of a broader European strategy to regain technological sovereignty, amid growing global concerns about data security, digital privacy, and economic autonomy. Recent geopolitical tensions and supply-chain disruptions have further underscored the urgency of Europe’s push for digital independence.
Ultimately, Europe’s technology leaders are calling for decisive action. Their message emphasizes that now is the time for Europe to invest strategically and establish a stronger, self-sufficient technological infrastructure, laying the groundwork for long-term global competitiveness and security.
