If the US withdraws from Europe, Europeans will need 300.000 more soldiers and an additional 250 billion euros per year.
In the event of a conflict with Russia, Europe would have to mobilize an additional 300.000 soldiers without the help of the United States. Also, to effectively counter Russian military power, significant investments in the field of defense would be needed, which, according to an analysis by the Brussels-based research institute Bruegel and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IFW), would amount to around 250 billion euros per year.
The authors of the study estimate that European countries will need to create about 50 additional brigades with a total number of 300.000 soldiers. At least 1.400 new tanks and 2.000 infantry fighting vehicles are also needed, a figure that exceeds the current reserves of all German, French, Italian and British ground forces. The researchers propose that European defense spending should increase annually from the current two percent to 3.5 to four percent of economic output. For Germany, as Europe’s largest economy, an increase to 3.5 percent would mean an increase in national defense spending from 80 to 140 billion euros.
Massive investments in the defense sector could boost national economies. This is the conclusion of a study by the consulting firm EY and Deka Bank. Investments in military equipment would mainly benefit the metal industry, service providers such as transport and logistics companies, metal trade and research institutes, the authors write. The positive impact on the labor market would also be “significant.”
