international
Europe is spending billions to rearm, so why the delays?
Key takeaways
- European countries have been trying to scale up their military capabilities, but their current defense production and procurement model is not fit for purpose, say experts.
- Military spending was slashed, armed forces were downsized, and equipment stockpiles depleted, resulting in diminished combat readiness.
- Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, however, served as a wake-up call and prompted European governments to reverse course and focus on defense.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
European countries have been trying to scale up their military capabilities, but their current defense production and procurement model is not fit for purpose, say experts.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Fo Z6Europe's defense sector continues to face structural challenges such as scale disadvantage compared to US companies Image: Peter Steffen/dpa/picture alliance Advertisement For decades after the end of the Cold War in 1989, defense was not a high priority for European leaders.
Military spending was slashed, armed forces were downsized, and equipment stockpiles depleted, resulting in diminished combat readiness.
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