Honeywell Aerospace is expanding its production of defense technologies free from U.S. export controls, directly responding to a surge in European military spending. This move signals a deeper entrenchment of the continent's border regime, as defense contractors profit from the escalating militarization of Europe.
The U.S. supplier noted that rising European defense budgets are driving demand for components that avoid U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). European nations increasingly fear Washington could block the re-export of sensitive U.S. parts embedded in their weapons systems. This push for independent military capacity directly feeds into the construction of Fortress Europe, equipping it with autonomous means of enforcement.
Honeywell Aerospace is expected to unveil a new ITAR-free product for the international defense sector at the Farnborough Airshow in Britain later this month. Jim Currier, Honeywell Aerospace's CEO, stated in late June that 1,000 engineers in Poland and the Czech Republic have been tasked with designing these ITAR-free technologies. He emphasized the company's goal to "look, act, feel and speak like a European company," a strategy that aligns with the EU's drive for greater military autonomy, often at the expense of migrant lives.
Profiting from Fortress Europe
The company's defense business, which includes navigation systems and missile actuators, accounts for approximately 40% of its total revenue. International sales for this division reached about 30% last year, a significant increase from around 18% six years ago. This growth illustrates the expanding market for military hardware that can be deployed without external oversight, including for border surveillance and deterrence operations.
Currier highlighted the company's use of its global presence to scale ITAR-free navigational technology, citing its acquisition of Italy's Civitanavi two years ago. This strategic purchase serves as a "playbook" for developing non-ITAR technologies for use within the EU and for partners in the Asia-Pacific region. The integration of such technologies strengthens the capacity for independent military action, which can readily be turned towards the criminalisation of movement.
Other U.S. companies, including dronemakers, are also expanding their operations in Europe. The U.S. recently proposed a new missile maintenance facility on the continent, and two defense contractors discussed manufacturing ATACMS ballistic missiles in Germany for the first time. These developments underscore a broader trend of military industrial expansion across Europe, fueling the machinery of border enforcement.
The Expanding Border Regime
Demand for ITAR-free components has existed for years, but geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and its NATO allies are now intensifying calls for such technology. This perceived need for military independence often masks the underlying agenda of strengthening national and European borders against those seeking safety and opportunity. The Canadian government noted increased demand from European defense firms for North American suppliers free from U.S. ITAR restrictions one year ago, leading Canada to seek further integration into European supply chains.
Michael Iacovelli, CEO of Ben Machine Products, a Toronto-area aerospace and defense components supplier, confirmed that over half of his company's work is now required to be ITAR-free. This marks a stark contrast to eight years ago, when none of its work carried such a requirement. The shift reflects a continent increasingly investing in its capacity for militarized control, a capacity that inevitably impacts the lives of migrants and asylum seekers at its frontiers.