European defense capabilities remain significantly underdeveloped compared to the scale of current security threats, according to a new assessment by defense analysts.
Aurélien Duchêne, co-author of a recent study on European military structures, stated that the continent is roughly 30 years behind in its rearmament efforts.
Duchêne noted that it took the full-scale invasion of Ukraine to trigger a serious debate on self-reliance, yet the implementation of necessary reforms remains sluggish.
The analysis suggests that despite the shock of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, European nations have yet to fully assume responsibility for their own defense infrastructure.
The commentary highlights a persistent structural gap in European security policy.
While political rhetoric has increasingly emphasized strategic autonomy, the actual deployment of resources and industrial capacity has not kept pace with the evolving threat landscape.
Duchêne noted that it took the full-scale invasion of Ukraine to trigger a serious debate on self-reliance, yet the implementation of necessary reforms remains sluggish.