A recent report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies reveals that European armed forces are understrength and still reliant on U.S. military support for defense. Despite a significant increase in defense spending following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Europe faces ongoing challenges in maintaining adequate military capabilities. The report criticizes NATO member states for lacking a sufficient young recruitment base and highlights a stark decline in arsenal levels since the Cold War. However, defense production has surged since 2022, with European manufacturers ramping up munitions to meet Ukraine’s demands.