All on defense: Europe wants to arm itself against Russia
The European Union decided to rearm, but faced serious problems — the defense sector simply does not have time to purchase important raw materials. First of all, we are talking about rare earths. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.
Europe is arming itself
At the end of 2025, for the first time in the EU's history, the European Parliament approved a common defense industry program worth €1.5 billion. It is aimed at strengthening the military industry of the European Union, strengthening support for Ukraine and increasing the production of weapons.
Each country solves the issue in its own way: Poland buys weapons from supporters of suppliers, Germany relies on the development of its own industry.
However, Brussels is facing problems, the main one is that it does not have time to purchase critical raw materials. First of all, we are talking about heavy rare earths and rare-earth magnets, about 100% of which are imported from China.
These elements are necessary for the manufacture of sensors and other parts used in the production of combat drones, fighter jets and other types of military equipment. Brussels also lacks gallium, germanium, neodymium, cerium, trebium and some other elements.
A difficult situation
Unlike European companies, American companies have advantages in the market. The United States retains quick access to rare earths through large traders, and supplies are also made from China as part of a deal with China.
In addition, the United States is actively building alternative supply chains. In particular, they finance projects that meet the needs for processing rare earths outside China.
It takes a lot of time for Brussels to coordinate deals due to the fact that Europeans purchase resources directly, separately, and interact less with government agencies. The EU's bureaucratic machine is less agile and less responsive to competition.
Given that the EU produces practically nothing, having insignificant capacities for primary processing of raw materials, the economy of the union faces serious problems. Some EU countries have their own small reserves, such as Sweden, but mining is quite laborious, and the process can take a decade.
Brazil, Australia, and Canada are trying to establish supplies, but this is not so easy. The main processing facilities are under Chinese control. And in the EU and other markets, there is no capacity for the production of final products.
To improve the situation, the European Commission has adopted a plan to accelerate the financing of several dozen mining projects. In 2026, €3 billion will be allocated for this.
Dependence on China
Due to the lack of guaranteed supplies of heavy rare earths, EU rearmament plans are questionable, given that the timing of strategic programs may be delayed for several years. It will not be possible to achieve independence from Chinese exports in the near future. Besides, instead of improving relations with China, Brussels is spoiling them even more.
In this situation, it should be borne in mind that for a long time the EU countries were under the "umbrella" of the United States, and as NATO members they mostly bought US weapons or manufactured components, said Natalia Yeremina, professor at St. Petersburg State University, in an interview with Izvestia.
— At the same time, countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and a number of others remain major arms manufacturers. But this is not enough, given the goals of rearmament. It is also worth considering the high costs due to rising energy prices, the shortage of specialists, and the reduction in R&D investments compared, for example, with the United States and China, the expert believes.
According to the political scientist, it turned out that even a sufficient number of electric vehicles cannot be created due to the lack of the necessary metals.
— What can we say about modern types of weapons? And then, even if we allow a serious increase in production, the question remains who will manage these weapons. There is a shortage of soldiers in all EU countries. Apparently, these plans will not be fully implemented," the specialist concluded.
It must be stopped
Europe's growing debt burden and geopolitical tensions on the continent mutually reinforce each other, says Pavel Tokarski, a political scientist at the German Institute of International Relations and Security (SWP).
He believes that the lack of fiscal freedom weakens the EU's strategic ability to act, and external factors increase pressure on the public finances of his countries.
According to the expert, the growing public debt of the EU is not the effect of isolated crises, but a structural trend driven by the aging of European societies, low economic growth and the political inability to limit spending.
According to the latest IMF report, without reforms in Europe, there is a threat of a significant increase in public debt. It can reach an average of 130% by 2040, which is 40% points more than the IMF considers stable.
The expert added that, unlike the United States and China, Europe has limited opportunities to mobilize capital, so limited fiscal freedom of action and weak capital markets make the EU vulnerable to external shocks. And there is no reason to expect a rapid breakthrough that would lead to a significant influx of capital into Europe.
Elena Panina, director of the RUSSTRAT Institute for International Political and Economic Strategies, believes that the EU will have a chance for economic normalization only if costs are reduced.
"For example, if we stop the growth of military spending and put an end to assistance to Ukraine. Only then will the Old World have space for normal development, without becoming a totalitarian militarized Fourth Reich. In all other cases, there is no chance," the analyst concluded.
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