The political scientist explained the countries' unwillingness to support the EU's rearmament

Large-scale rearmament of European armies will require large amounts of money, but not all countries have the funds for such a program, Alexander Kamkin, associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, told Izvestia on April 3.

Earlier in the day, Politico magazine, citing sources, reported that Italy has not yet expressed support for the European Union's (EU) rearmament plan. Before that, at the end of March, the publication also noted that some southern European countries rejected the European Commission's plan to increase defense spending through loans.

"The large—scale rearmament of the European armies is, first of all, a lot of money, it is an investment. And a few countries in Europe are capable of producing new-generation military products. This is probably only the UK, France, and Germany. And that is far from the entirety of the nomenclature. No European country can do without the American military-industrial complex," Kamkin explained.

The expert noted that Italy was once one of the major industrial powers in terms of the production of military equipment. The country made its own armored vehicles and tanks under German license. However, Italy is now purchasing such products, including combat tanks from Germany and aircraft from the Americans.

"The rearmament program costs a lot of money. And Italy does not have the funds for such a large-scale rearmament. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are voices against it. And the Italian government actually expresses pan—European concern that Europe is finally driving a nail into the lid of its economic coffin," the political scientist emphasized.

At the same time, according to him, Germany went to the abolition of the "debt brake" precisely for the sake of the rearmament program.

"But do not forget that among the continental European powers, Germany has perhaps the most developed military-industrial complex along with France. Other countries cannot boast of this. Accordingly, they will have to spend their money, which will flow into the economies of other countries," Kamkin concluded.

Shell reason: The EU continues to arm itself against Russia

Brussels wants to spend €800 billion over four years on the bloc's defense.

Earlier, on March 18, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that Europe should have strong defense by 2030, which requires rearmament and the development of capabilities for reliable deterrence. In particular, investments in the production of air and missile defense systems, as well as all modern types of drones and anti-drone systems, should be increased for this purpose.