Europe would have to spend around 250 billion euros a year on defense to ensure its defense without US help, according to a study published today, cited by Reuters. The study indicates that the EU can bear this amount, given its economic power, BTA writes.
The mentioned expenditure, which is equivalent to 1.5% of the total gross domestic product of EU member states, would allow Europe to mobilize around 300,000 military personnel if defense against Russia is needed, according to a joint study by the "Bruegel" Institute and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, prepared for the specialized online portal World Economy.
The study also calls for closer coordination and joint execution of orders, noting that despite Europe's financial capabilities, coordination within the EU remains the main challenge for the armed forces of individual countries.
Most European countries are under increasing pressure from US President Donald Trump to increase their military capabilities. Last week, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Europe to no longer view America as a "cash cow" and not to hold the United States responsible for its own defense, Reuters points out.
The favorite to be the next German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, expressed doubts yesterday about the United States remaining in NATO, and White House national security adviser Mike Walz gave all alliance countries until June to meet the recommendation to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense.
The joint study by the two institutes suggests increasing European spending to 4 percent of GDP annually.
Half of the funds could come from the common European debt and be used for common procurement, while the other half of the costs could be covered by individual countries, the study claims.
It mentions that Moscow's military power has increased since the start of the war in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with about 700 000 military personnel, and the production of tanks and armored fighting vehicles has sharply increased.
According to the study, the necessary 50 new brigades in Europe will need 1,400 tanks and 2,000 infantry fighting vehicles. These numbers exceed the entire current arsenal of the land forces of Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.
"From an economic point of view, this is bearable. It is far less than dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, for example,", notes the study's co-author Guntram Wolf.