ISTANBUL
Without US support, Europe would have to invest €250 billion (approximately $239 billion) annually and deploy 300,000 additional soldiers to defend itself against Russia, according to a report released on Friday by the Bruegel Research Institute and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
The report highlights that Europe would need to deploy “around 50 additional brigades with a total of 300,000 soldiers” and acquire “at least 1,400 new main battle tanks and 2,000 infantry fighting vehicles,” surpassing the combined forces of Germany, France, Italy, and the UK.
It also calls for “around 2,000 long-range drones” annually.
While the investment is significant, the report argues that the cost is manageable, amounting to just 1.5% of the EU’s GDP, a figure “far less than had to be mobilized to overcome the crisis during the Covid pandemic.”
It also stresses that military coordination remains one of Europe’s greatest challenges, with the continent’s defense spread across 28 national armed forces.
“Self-insurance is more expensive than collective security,” it noted, calling for “closer coordination and joint procurement.”
“If each country tries to defend itself alone, it will cost more. Self-insurance is more expensive than collective security,” it added.
To fund the defense expansion, the report recommended increasing European defense spending to 3.5-4% of GDP annually.
This would require an additional €250 billion in military spending, which could be partially financed through “common European debt” and national contributions.
“Russia could have the military strength to attack the EU states in the next three to ten years. We must classify this as a real danger,” the report said.
While the challenge is daunting, the analysis highlights potential economic benefits, noting that “a debt-financed increase in defense spending could also act as an economic stimulus.”
