Re-arming European Security Architecture

Europe has been afflicted with two simultaneous turbulences that are disturbing its defence architecture and thereby imposing immense threats and security challenges to the continent. The first tremor was witnessed in February 2022, with the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine war. The second tremor is as recent as 2025, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to withdraw American support for Europe’s security.

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Amidst these lurking threats, Europe is grappling with the urgent demand of creating strategic autonomy and a staunch commitment to its defence and security expenditures. This article will analyse the European security dilemma and the European Union’s (EU) approach to navigating these challenging security threats.

REASONS FOR EUROPE'S SECURITY DEADLOCK

Several security threats encircle the European continent, and this includes traditional as well as non-traditional security threats. Primarily, the major shock to Europe's security was experienced towards its eastern front in 2022 – the Russia-Ukraine war.

For Europe, Russian dominance and expansion in its eastern part pose a major strategic threat. In its own backyard, Europe failed to foresee the escalating Russian threat, which exposed Europe to its security vulnerabilities.

One significant factor that secured Europe through these 3 years of war, was the staunch American support. However, under the presidency of Trump, the U.S. is potentially backing off its responsibility as a transatlantic ally.

President Trump has majorly criticised the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) member countries for failing to increase their defence spending to the recommended 5% of their GDP, as he previously urged.

With the recent leaked Signal group chat, Pete Hegseth, the current U.S. Secretary of Defense, lamented “loathing of European freeloading,” accusing Europe with regards to its financial aid to Ukraine.

Adding to the comment, President Trump questioned Europe regarding its defence spending, which is merely $100 billion, in contrast to the US’s commitment of $350 billion aid to Ukraine. Threats lurking from its south, such as conflicts in West Asia and Africa, have an impact on Europe’s social fabric due to illegal migration, which cause hindrance in its domestic politics. Terrorism, cybersecurity threats from Russia and China, refugee crisis, climate change, energy security, etc, too, have impacted the European security landscape.

STRATEGIC AUTONOMY IS SINE QUA NON FOR EUROPE'S SECURITY

In the contemporary global security landscape, Europe is at the epicentre and is under serious and existential threats. Never before has the EU faced a sine qua non for the creation of strategic autonomy.

However, with the current circumstances that envelop Europe creating a security dilemma, Europe urgently needs to act decisively and swiftly.

The EU’s ambitious plan of European Defence Readiness 2030, also known as “ReArm Europe” has to be tactically executed, as it is the EU's foundation for strategic autonomy.

Under this strategic framework, the EU seeks to increase defence spending massively, establish a strong and resilient defence industrial base, stock up arms and ammunitions, innovate and build cutting-edge technology, and in the long term invest massively in EU and NATO’s security. ReArm Europe is the brainchild of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which sets a target of investing more than 800 billion euros in European defence.

Ms. Ursula comprehends the intensity of the grappling threats facing Europe when she claims, “Europe faces a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us has seen in our adult lifetime.”

Europe’s strategic autonomy umbrella consists of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and undertaken initiative of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the Security Action for Europe (SAFE), the European Defence Fund, and Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD).

The above initiatives, which focus on both defence and its finance, can potentially make a foundation for the EU's vision of establishing strategic autonomy, and ensuring viability of its readiness strategy in an increasingly volatile world. Strategic autonomy will lead to strengthening Europe’s defence and would become a pillar of stability in unprecedented circumstances without American support.

IS THE EUROPEAN UNION UNITED?

President Trump's return and his reluctance to provide security support to its allies across the Atlantic have developed into a new challenge for the continent, which has long relied upon the U.S. Few but serious challenges persist for Europe to attain strategic autonomy. Firstly, as mentioned above, many European countries have been dependent on NATO, and solely the US, for their defence and security needs.

Secondly, some European powers are not on board with defence spending, with Poland hiking its spending due to its proximity to Russia, whereas many nations such as Belgium, Spain, Portugal, etc, are yet to ramp up their contributions.

Thirdly, since 2024, major elections have been conducted on the continent, which has shaped its geopolitics in its way. There has been a notable rise in nationalist parties, which frequently adopt a cautious or resistant stance towards closer integration with the EU.

Few analysts claim that the rise of far-right and nationalist parties hinders the essence of the EU, thereby undermining its liberal democratic values. Therefore, the domestic elections have put the notion of European unity in ambiguity. Fourthly, and most importantly, the bloc lacks leadership that could get all the 27 member-nations in tandem with a unanimous decision-making.

THE FUTURE OF EUROPE'S SECURITY

Reports by Sauli Niinistö, former President of Finland and Mario Draghi, former European Central Bank President, address the importance of military preparedness and readiness, and the future of European competitiveness, respectively. There are several frameworks that chart the pathway for Europe’s secure future. The White Paper for European Defence – Readiness for 2030, outlines a strategic approach to bolster the European defence framework.

Suggestions such as a boost in defence spending and strengthening the military and defence industry reflect the EU’s commitment towards its security affairs. Additionally, Europe must diversify its trade and security partnerships and open avenues of cooperation with India and its partners in the Gulf, ASEAN, etc. This would also reduce its over-dependence on the U.S. as a security partner and China as an economic and trade partner.

CONCLUSION

The continent must establish a robust foundation to support the development and preservation of its strategic autonomy, not only in defence but also in the economy and trade sectors. This decade has exposed Europe’s security vulnerabilities, and therefore, the EU and other European countries must transition from this dilemma and address these critical issues urgently. With corrective endeavours like increasing its defence and economic strategies, Europe can sustain and thrive for long-term resilience amidst the volatile geopolitical security landscape.

BY ARYA GHADIGAONKAR

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