Europe’s Military Dependence on the US Raises Concerns
European defense experts recently testified before the House Defense Committee, highlighting severe weaknesses in Europe’s military capabilities. Their concerns focus on weak logistics, underfunded infrastructure, and excessive reliance on the US for essential military resources. Without American support, Europe would lose most of its combat potential, leaving it vulnerable in future conflicts.
A Legacy of Underinvestment and Wrong Priorities
Ed Arnold, a senior research fellow, criticized European governments for years of misguided spending. “The issue isn’t just what we call the peace dividend,” Arnold explained. “Many European countries have spent money on the wrong equipment for the wrong types of operations.”
Arnold warned that Europe remains “totally dependent on the US” for key military capabilities. These include air-to-air refueling, intelligence gathering, and logistics. He emphasized that these assets could be redirected to the Indo-Pacific, leaving Europe exposed.
Mobility Challenges: A Major Weakness
One of the most pressing concerns is military mobility. During the war in Ukraine, the US transported equipment from its mainland to Ukraine faster than France could move supplies within Europe. Experts see this as a sign of Europe’s inadequate infrastructure and lack of preparedness for large-scale military operations.
Armida van Rij, head of the Europe Programme at Chatham House, pointed out that Germany’s infrastructure has not been upgraded for years. “Too many bridges can’t handle tanks driving over them,” she noted. This significantly hampers Europe’s ability to move troops and equipment efficiently in a crisis.
Ammunition Shortages Threaten Readiness
Experts also raised alarms about ammunition shortages. While European countries have taken steps to increase production, they have not met their initial targets. This shortfall is particularly concerning given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has drained Europe’s stockpiles.
Van Rij stressed that without sufficient ammunition, European forces could struggle in prolonged conflicts. The inability to meet demand further highlights the continent’s dependence on external suppliers, particularly the US.
Air and Missile Defense: A Weak Link
Another major vulnerability is Europe’s lack of an integrated and well-equipped air and missile defense system. Many countries have outdated air defense networks that are not ready to counter modern threats. This gap leaves European cities and military bases exposed to potential aerial and missile attacks.
Efforts to modernize these systems are slow, with funding shortages and bureaucratic delays preventing rapid progress. Without a coordinated approach, European nations risk being unprepared in a future military confrontation.
Is Europe Ready to Act?
European leaders continue to push for increased defense funding, using these alarming reports to justify greater military spending. However, experts also acknowledge problems in production planning. Many European countries focus on producing outdated or irrelevant equipment rather than addressing critical shortfalls.
As geopolitical tensions rise, Europe faces a critical decision. It must either build independent military capabilities or continue relying on the US. If it chooses the latter, Europe could find itself unprepared in future conflicts when US support is redirected elsewhere.
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