The authors of the report emphasize that the possible withdrawal of the US from Europe would seriously expose NATO to the threat of Russia and forced them to make difficult decisions regarding the addition of the resulting gaps in the defensive system.
Estimates show that replacing American forces equivalent to European potential would mean the need to incur one -off costs in the amount of $ 226 to $ 344 billion for the purchase of equipment, as well as further expenses for maintaining the army, logistics and maintenance. The most expensive would be the acquisition of 400 tactical aircraft, 20 destroyers and 24 long-range sets of Earth's rocket. The mere replacement of US military staff, whose number in Europe is estimated at 128,000 soldiers, would cost over $ 12 billion.
The report points out that the costs associated with command systems, coordination, supervision, the use of space and nuclear weapons cannot be fully estimated. Europe would also have to take responsibility for the highest command positions in NATO, including the commander -in -chief of the alliance on the continent, and intensify diplomatic activities.
The “Politico” portal notes that despite the appeals of the chairman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen for greater support of the European defense industry, the implementation of this vision remains distant. Although the number of orders in the land forces sector is growing, other areas – such as aviation or jacket – still receive small investments, and in some cases the purchase of European equipment is not possible due to the limited availability of appropriate technologies.
Iiss forecasts, however, that the tendency to choose European suppliers will be strengthened. The analysis of tenders from the period from February 2022 to September 2024 shows that 52 percent Their values went to companies from Europe, while American entities gained 34 percent. What's more, European countries increase defense expenses much more than in the past.
