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Defending Europe without the US: First estimates of what is needed

Author

Listed:
  • Burilkov, Alexandr
  • Wolff, Guntram B.

Abstract

We provide initial estimates of the additional weapons and troops Europe will need to defend itself, assuming an effective US withdrawal from Europe. Russia's military production has ramped up: In 2024, Russia produced and refurbished an estimated 1,550 tanks, 5,700 armoured vehicles and 450 artillery pieces of all types. If the US withdraws from supporting Ukraine, the EU would have to spend only another 0.12 percent of its GDP to replace the US military contributions - a feasible amount. A US-Russian deal on Ukraine, resulting in a continued Russian military build-up would require an increase in European capacities equivalent to the fighting capacity of 300,000 US troops, with a focus on mechanised and armoured forces to replace US army heavy units. European defence spending will have to increase substantially from the current level of about 2 percent of GDP. An initial assessment suggests an increase by about €250 billion annually (or around 3.5 percent of GDP) is warranted in the short term.

Suggested Citation

  • Burilkov, Alexandr & Wolff, Guntram B., 2025. "Defending Europe without the US: First estimates of what is needed," Kiel Policy Brief 183, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ifwkpb:312398
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    File URL: https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/312398/1/1917888414.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Armin Steinbach & Guntram B. Wolff, 2024. "Financing European air defence through European Union debt," Bruegel Policy Brief node_10289, Bruegel.
    2. Juan Mejino-López & Guntram B. Wolff, 2024. "A European defence industrial strategy in a hostile world," Bruegel Policy Brief node_10474, Bruegel.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    USA; Europe; Germany; Ukraine; Defense; Security policy; USA; Europa; Deutschland; Ukraine; Verteidigung; Sicherheitspolitik;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War
    • F51 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Conflicts; Negotiations; Sanctions
    • F52 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - National Security; Economic Nationalism

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