European Rearmament: A new era of defense?

The Return of European Rearmament

The issue of rearmament has returned with force to the European agenda, driven by a mix of geopolitical, industrial, and institutional factors. After WWII and the Cold War, Western Europe rearmed under NATO to counter the Soviet threat. However, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, military spending sharply declined. The belief that peace was a given led many EU member states to disinvest in their defense capabilities. A turning point was represented by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The attack shattered the illusion of lasting continental peace and forced the European Union to confront the real possibility of large-scale war on its borders.

The European Defense Plan

In response, several countries drastically revised their defense policies. Germany allocated €100 billion to modernize its armed forces, while other historically neutral nations, like Finland and Sweden, chose to join NATO. The debate over European strategic autonomy, long present but lacking real traction, gained new urgency. Meanwhile, uncertainty over the future role of the USA pushed Brussels to call for a stronger, more coordinated European defense. The “ReArm Europe” plan, accompanied by the “Readiness 2030” White Paper on European defense, aims to mobilize up to €800 billion through national spending and joint resources, encouraging the purchase of European-made weapons and reducing dependence on American industry. The goal is to bolster collective security while simultaneously developing a competitive European military-industrial complex.

Challenges and Risks in European Rearmament

The ambitious rearmament strategy is not without obstacles. Politically, diverging visions among EU states slow the adoption of a unified approach. In this sense, while Eastern countries push for robust defense measures, other countries, such as Italy and Spain, are more cautious, mainly due to economic constraints and cultural hesitation. Budget limitations, particularly in highly indebted states, make it hard to justify increased military spending amid pressing social needs. At the same time, Europe’s defense industry remains fragmented. Several countries use different weapon systems and continue to buy heavily from external suppliers, with consequent delays and limited interoperability. Institutionally, rearmament also raises questions about the balance between the EU and NATO. While the European Union asserts its right and duty to ensure its security, many states reaffirm NATO’s centrality and fear overlapping mandates or command conflicts. Brussels insists that European defense efforts will complement, not replace, NATO. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen who within the EU would make critical military decisions and how democratic oversight would be maintained.

What Experts Say

To learn more, watch our exclusive interview with Valbona Zeneli, sharing her view on the ongoing process of European rearmament.