Europe boosts defence spending but lacks soldiers: study

By AFP
November 09, 2024
A German military member takes position, while a helicopter flies, at a German naval forces training site, in Eckernfoerde, Germany, February 21, 2023. — Reuters
A German military member takes position, while a helicopter flies, at a German naval forces training site, in Eckernfoerde, Germany, February 21, 2023. — Reuters

PRAGUE: Europe has increased defence spending since Russia invaded Ukraine, but its defence capacities including military manpower are still insufficient, a British security think-tank warned on Friday.

The findings by the International Institute for Security Studies (IISS) come as Donald Trump´s return to the White House has raised fears that he could upend European security and pull the plug on support for war-torn Ukraine.

The IISS published its latest report as it hosts the Prague Defence Summit, bringing together politicians, army officials and other experts to discuss ways to boost Europe´s defence posture.

Russia´s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 had uncovered multiple weaknesses in Europe´s ability to defend itself, the IISS study said.

“Defence spending of Nato´s European members in 2024 is almost 50 percent higher than it was in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea,” it said.