European NATO members’ armed forces are operating at just half the strength required by the bloc, the EU’s top defense official has warned, stressing the need to reduce dependence on US suppliers to drive down the costs of the military buildup. Just days after US President Donald Trump claimed the bloc had committed to purchasing a “vast amount” of American weaponry under a new trade deal, European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius argued that the EU must “spend more on European products.” In an interview with Euractiv published on Tuesday, Kubilius said EU forces were “at 50% of what we need to have now, according to NATO’s targets.” He noted that around 40% of the bloc’s military budgets are still being spent on American-made arms, although that figure has decreased from 60% a year ago.
Author: RT
Published at: 2025-07-30 22:34:57
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