Germany and Other EU Countries Are Bulking up Militaries

Can defense become Europe’s economic growth machine?

If the continent plays its cards right, the necessity of defense could turn out to be the mother of invention.

Germany and other EU countries are bulking up militaries

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to make the Bundeswehr the "strongest conventional army in Europe." Other EU countries also have ambitious plans for their armed forces. DW takes a closer look.

While European countries are investing heavily in armaments, a key stumbling block is emerging in the production of heavy military equipment. There is a shortage of certified armor steel in Europe, which is a major problem. However, a new production line in Saarland could help, Handelsblatt reports.

As geopolitical tensions worsen at the gates of Europe and far beyond, the issue of strategic sovereignty comes to the heart of public debate. Faced with an increasing threat, France and the European Union are urged to step up their defence efforts, in a context of strong budgetary constraints. France strategy has explored the geopolitical implications of European rearmament, the possible financing levers, as well as the industrial, human and po…

Microwave ovens, GPS, drones… are just a small list of devices that owe their existence to military research labs. Now, with Europe poised to unleash a raft of money on its defense sector, reversing decades of underinvestment, there is optimism that the Old Continent’s dismal productivity record could similarly harness military ingenuity to turn things around.

Here is the Germans' big war plan, the European super army could cost more than 200 billion euros - Countless obstacles stand in the way of realizing this bold idea.