European NATO is facing a critical test of its capabilities without the support of the US military, which has been the backbone of the alliance for decades. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently acknowledged that the US is no longer primarily focused on the security of Europe.
While Europe’s militaries have well-trained forces, they lack strategic capabilities, command structures, and firepower necessary to sustain a prolonged conflict. The war in Ukraine has exposed these weaknesses, particularly in munition stockpiles and industrial capacity required to refill inventories.
Maj Gen (Ret) Skip Davis, a non-resident senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, warns that Europe’s defense spending needs to increase significantly to meet its own needs and those of Ukraine. A 5% GDP goal is considered reasonable in the near term, but political feasibility remains a major obstacle.
If Europe wants to stand up to a rearmed and reconstituted Russian armed force, it will need to make significant investments in defense production and increase its defense spending. The failure to do so could embolden Putin and lead to further aggression by Russia, undermining US security and stability in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
Europe’s inability to deliver on its promise to supply Ukraine with 1 million artillery shells by spring 2024 has also highlighted its weaknesses. In contrast, Russia has significantly ramped up its ammunition production, producing about 3 million artillery munitions annually.
To address these vulnerabilities, Davis recommends that European leaders unify around a single message that peace cannot be bought at the expense of Ukraine’s future in Europe and without Ukraine’s participation in peace talks. He also urges them to increase defense spending and production to meet their own needs and those of Ukraine, emphasizing that this is a matter of national security and not just a Western European issue.
The situation demands urgent attention from European policymakers, who must balance the need for defense spending with domestic political feasibility. Ultimately, it is up to Europe’s leaders to take responsibility for their nation’s security and ensure that they are prepared to face the challenges posed by Russia.
Source: https://cepa.org/article/what-european-nato-lacks