Europe lacks military personnel and defense capabilities, despite an increase in spending since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to a British think tank.
Europe lacks military personnel and its defense capabilities remain insufficient, even if its spending has increased since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to a study by a British think tank published Friday. This report is published at a time when European countries are questioning the persistence of American military support for Ukraine after the election of Donald Trump and calls to strengthen the continent's defense are increasing.
The main European armed forces “remain understaffed, too many of them continuing to lose troops without sufficiently encouraging the younger generation to get involved”said the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). “They continue to rely on the United States to varying degrees in all military domains”lamented this group of experts which is organizing a forum until Sunday in Prague, in the Czech Republic, to strengthen European defense.
Certainly “the European members of NATO increased their spending by 50%” since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has exposed many weaknesses in Europe's ability to ensure its own security. The arsenal was “severely reduced after the end of the Cold War” et “the defense industry in Europe has also contracted”indicates the study.
Addiction in the United States
Production in some sectors, including air defense and artillery, has, however, increased significantly since 2022 as arms manufacturers respond to Ukraine's needs. For example, Rheinmetall's annual production of 155 mm ammunition increased tenfold to reach 700,000 units.
Finally, half of the orders from European NATO countries currently go to European companies, compared to 34% for American systems. On Wednesday, new European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said the European Union (EU) needs to spend more on its defense, not because of the re-election of US President Donald Trump, but because of the threat from Russia.
As European leaders gathered in Budapest, Hungary this weekend, French President Emmanuel Macron said they should not “delegate for eternity” their security in Washington.
