Europe Moves to Strengthen Own Defence Amid Strained US Ties

The 2026 EU budget of €192.8 billion prioritizes defence, security, and strategic resilience, expanding funding for critical technologies, military mobility, and civil preparedness. The allocation reflects Europe’s push for strategic autonomy amid geopolitical tensions, the war in Ukraine, and hybrid threats. Increased investment in defence projects and dual-use technologies positions the EU to strengthen its security capabilities while reducing reliance on non-European suppliers.

European leaders are intensifying efforts to strengthen the continent’s defence capabilities amid growing uncertainty over US commitments following the Trump administration’s push to annex Greenland. At the Munich Security Conference, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, “Some lines have been crossed that cannot be uncrossed anymore,” highlighting concerns over the reliability of transatlantic ties. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer endorsed a stronger “European pillar” within NATO while signaling a need to hedge against potential US disengagement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered limited reassurance, saying the United States “wants to work with Europe,” yet did not address NATO obligations or Russia’s war in Ukraine. Merz confirmed that discussions with Macron on a European nuclear deterrent have begun, emphasizing that France maintains the only fully independent nuclear capability in Europe, while Britain’s Trident system relies on the US. “This new beginning is right under all circumstances. It is right if the United States continues to distance itself. It is right as long as we cannot guarantee our own security on our own,” Merz said, underscoring the urgency of independent European defense planning.

European countries have increased defence spending nearly 80% since before the war in Ukraine, von der Leyen reported. NATO members agreed to raise core defence spending from 2% to 3.5% of GDP, with an additional 1.5% allocated for other security-related investments. Multiple nations are forming consortia to develop advanced weapons systems, including the European Long-range Strike Approach (ELSA) for deep-strike missiles. Coalitions of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Sweden are also advancing projects on ballistic missile defence and air-launched munitions, signaling a coordinated effort to modernize Europe’s military capabilities.

Despite progress, pan-European programs face challenges. The FCAS French-German-Spanish fighter jet project remains uncertain due to disagreements over industrial work allocation. Debates continue over whether EU defence projects should prioritize European firms or remain open to non-EU suppliers. France advocates a “buy European” approach, while Germany and the Netherlands support a more open model. These debates highlight structural and political hurdles in implementing a unified European defense strategy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized the urgency of modern military readiness during a recent address, noting that Ukraine faced more than 6,000 drone and 150 missile strikes in January alone. “During this war, weapons evolve faster than political decisions meant to stop them,” he warned, illustrating the pressure on European nations to modernize arsenals and enhance coordination in joint defence initiatives. Europe’s focus on self-reliant defence reflects both a response to US policy unpredictability and increasing concern over Russian threats.

The 2026 US National Defense Strategy (NDS) signals a decisive shift in American priorities, elevating homeland defence above traditional commitments in Europe and Asia. US support for Europe is now contingent on allied burden-sharing, capability development, and regional leadership. “As US forces focus on homeland defense and the Indo-Pacific, our allies and partners elsewhere will take primary responsibility for their own defense with critical but more limited support from American forces,” the NDS states. The strategy reduces the guaranteed US footprint in Europe, making defence spending and capability development increasingly urgent for European states.

Europe is now explicitly classified as a “secondary theater” in US strategic planning, with forward deployments likely to shift from permanent presence to rotational and quality-focused contributions. US officials emphasize that this is a strategic refocus rather than isolationism. The NDS underscores defending the US homeland and Western Hemisphere as the Pentagon’s top priority, including countering narco-terrorism and securing borders, while maintaining nominal global commitments. This approach signals a recalibration of transatlantic defense expectations.

In response, European capitals are accelerating initiatives for strategic autonomy. Once a political aspiration, autonomy is now a practical requirement dictated by US “reprioritization”. EU frameworks such as Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) are expanding collaborative defence projects to address capability gaps and improve military readiness. Many member states have increased defence budgets,  while NATO’s new 5% GDP spending target reinforces the need for credible, self-sufficient European defence. Partnerships with Indo-Pacific democracies on cyber, maritime, and supply chain security further extend Europe’s capacity to secure its interests independently.

Strategic autonomy does not equate to decoupling from the United States. European officials stress that a capable, self-sustaining defence strengthens NATO while ensuring interoperability with US forces and maintaining access to the American nuclear umbrella. Commentators note, “Europe can no longer afford to treat US security guarantees as immutable… It must now immediately build an independent defense posture that is credible, sustainable, and resilient.” Europe faces the challenge of balancing self-reliance with alliance cohesion, enhancing conventional capabilities while remaining aligned with US strategic priorities.

MBN reported in February that France’s Minister for Higher Education and Research, Philippe Baptiste, emphasized reducing Europe’s reliance on US technology in defence and space to secure autonomy. Speaking at a European space conference in Brussels, Baptiste called for a bloc-wide “Buy European Act” and coordinated investment in European satellite systems. “If the European Union wants to be serious about defense, the first step is to stop buying non-European components,” he said. Currently, the EU relies heavily on US-made missiles, fighter jets, and advanced defence systems, and depends on SpaceX launches for critical satellites, including components of the Galileo navigation network.