A Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet flies during during a demonstration of NATO Air Policing safeguards in 2023. File Image / Reuters
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Firstpost29-01-2026, 19:56

Europe Ramps Up Arms Production Amid Trump's NATO Shake-Up and US Reliance Concerns

  • President Trump's rhetoric and the Greenland issue have reignited European concerns about self-defense without US reliance.
  • Europe's defense industry is rapidly expanding, producing drones, tanks, and ammunition, with spending doubling in a decade.
  • Despite growth, Europe still lacks key capabilities like stealth jets, long-range missiles, and efficient satellite intelligence.
  • Replacing US military support could cost an estimated $1 trillion, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
  • Fragmentation within Europe's defense industry and slow production rates for some key systems remain significant obstacles.

Why It Matters: Europe is accelerating efforts towards defense self-sufficiency, but significant challenges and reliance on the US persist.

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