Furthermore, European armies face challenges in recruitment, particularly among younger generations, leading to a continuous loss of personnel and insufficient troop levels to effectively engage in combat.

While defense spending among NATO European members has increased by 50% over the past decade, ongoing issues such as unstable public financing and regulatory hurdles continue to hinder the defense industry's growth.

The competition for resources between the defense and civilian sectors complicates the situation further, making it difficult for the defense industry to recruit skilled professionals and invest confidently.

Currently, 50% of NATO countries' defense orders are directed to European firms, reflecting a notable shift towards bolstering European defense manufacturing.

Amid these developments, European leaders, including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, are reassessing trans-Atlantic relations, particularly in light of concerns regarding a potential second presidential term for Donald Trump.

Andrius Kubilius, the new European Commissioner for Defense, has emphasized the necessity for increased EU defense spending due to Russian threats, independent of U.S. political dynamics.

Despite the increase in defense spending since Russia's actions, the 2022 invasion of Ukraine has exposed significant weaknesses in Europe's defense capabilities, prompting calls for a revitalization of defense strategies and investments.

The report concludes that European governments must refocus on defense and security investments to address the strategic realities posed by Russia's aggressive actions.

A recent report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) highlights that European nations have made significant improvements to their military defenses since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Europe has ramped up production of military items, particularly in air defense and artillery, to meet Ukraine's urgent needs, with companies like Rheinmetall increasing their annual production of 155mm munitions tenfold.

Despite these efforts, European countries still struggle with production capacity and have had to donate significant military assets, such as F-16 fighter jets, to Ukraine, revealing a reliance on U.S. support for critical military capabilities.

The report indicates that many European armed forces are understrength and heavily dependent on the United States for military support, underscoring the need for greater self-sufficiency.