Britain could be blocked from receiving weapons from the European Union if a war breaks out with Russia.
During a "security crisis", overseas shipments of arms and civilian technologies could be halted to make up for the EU's shortfall, a chief has said.
It comes as Thierry Breton, the EU’s industry commissioner announced plans about how the bloc are preparing for a potential war.
"To counter the return of high-intensity war on our border, we have decided to kick up a gear," he said.
Britain could be blocked from receiving weapons from the European Union if a war breaks out with RussiaGettyThe strategy hopes to boost Europe’s military support for Ukraine and prepare for the threat posed by Vladimir Putin.
The European Commission is now demanding new legal powers to control its military exports in a bid to lock its capital.
Brussels is aiming to strengthen Europe's security and reduce reliance on the US.
Breton added: "The European Defence Investment Programme has prioritisation measures in it.
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"EDIP contains a fully fledged security of supply pillar that is in it for crisis situations.
"Once this stage is declared, specific measures can be applied, including priority-rated orders on civilian products or defence products depending on the situation."
Currently, around 40 per cent of the weapons and ammunition created in the EU are shipped overseas.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s top foreign diplomat said: "We have a powerful industry of defence because we export a lot.
The European Commission is now demanding new legal powers to control its military exports in a bid to lock its capital
GETTY"Certainly when there is a big push on demand, which might happen with a war, we have to ask for extra input."
Before the export ban could be enforced, member states would have to vote on the crisis situation.
EU members have spent more than €100 billion on defence since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Margrethe Vestager, the commission vice president, said.
