New Delhi: Brussels: Russia’s attack on Ukraine has forced Europe to increase its defence spending. The Defence News report quoted the European Defence Agency (EDA) as saying that member countries of the European Union (EU) spent a record 343 billion euros, or $402 billion, on defence last year, representing a 19 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Europe is in fear of Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022
The highest share of expenditure in this has been among countries that share a border with Russia or that are close to the Russian border. The report said that the members of the EU are not only buying weapons for themselves but are also involved in providing US weapons to Ukraine through NATO.
Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, and since then, European countries have strengthened their defence by buying fighter jets and air defence systems. In such a situation, this defence expenditure of $ 402 billion makes Europe the second-largest defence spender group globally after America. This is about one and a half times more than China’s expenditure and three times more than Russia’s. Even though America is still at the forefront in defence spending, Europe’s move signals to its strategic partners that it is preparing for its own security and future wars.
Is Europe preparing for a possible war with Russia?
The EDA report says that the EU’s estimated defence budget for 2025 is likely to increase to $ 446 billion, which shows that European countries are spending on a long-term war strategy. This increased defence budget of Europe is not just being spent on the salaries of soldiers or the maintenance of base camps, but a large part of it is being spent on the purchase of new weapons and research and development (R&D). Europe not only wants to increase its military size, but is also preparing to deal with future threats.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The European Union spent a record $402 billion on defence last year.
- The highest share has been among countries that share a border with Russia or that are close to the Russian border.
- The EU is not only buying weapons for itself but is also involved in providing US weapons to Ukraine through NATO.
- Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, and since then, European countries have strengthened their defence.
The defence expenditure of $ 402 billion makes Europe the second-largest defence spender group globally after America. This is about one and a half times more than China’s expenditure and three times more than Russia’s. Even though America is still at the forefront in defence spending, Europe’s move signals to its strategic partners that it is preparing for its own security and future wars.
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