Russian aggression against Ukraine has become a key factor in the transformation of the security system in Europe. The full-scale invasion has shown that the previous model of defense policy of most EU countries, which provided for a gradual reduction of armies and optimization of military budgets after the end of the Cold War, has turned out to be dangerous. As a result, most European states have launched large-scale modernization programs for their armies and increased defense spending.
An additional catalyzing factor for these processes has been the growth of hybrid threats from Russia, which include cyberattacks, sabotage and information and psychological operations. One of the illustrative examples is Germany, which in 2022 announced the creation of a special fund for the modernization of the Bundeswehr in the amount of 100 billion euros. This step became part of the Zeitenwende policy – a historic turn in the country’s defense strategy.
As part of this program, Germany has signed a number of large contracts. In particular, Berlin is purchasing 35 F-35A fighters from the United States for a total of approximately $8.4 billion. In addition, Berlin is investing in the creation of a multi-level air defense system, the European Sky Shield Initiative, which has been joined by more than 20 European countries. The armored fleet is also being modernized: Puma infantry fighting vehicles, Boxer armored personnel carriers and new artillery systems are being purchased.
Poland has become another driver of Europe’s rearmament. The country spends more than 4% of GDP on defense, which is one of the highest figures in NATO. Warsaw has signed contracts for the supply of 250 American Abrams tanks, and has also concluded an agreement with South Korea for the supply of about 1,000 K2 Black Panther tanks and K9 self-propelled howitzers. By 2030, the Ministry of Defense plans to purchase 482 HIMARS rocket systems and F-35 fighters.
Other European countries are also actively modernizing their armies. Romania is purchasing Patriot air defense systems, the Netherlands has ordered additional F-35 fighters, and Sweden is expanding production of Gripen fighters and modernizing its air defense system. France and Italy are implementing joint programs to develop new missile and missile defense systems.
The growth of European defense spending has had a significant impact on the global arms market. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in the period 2021-2025, arms imports by European states more than tripled compared to the period 2016-2020. Europe’s share of global arms imports increased from about 12% to over 30%, making the region the largest arms importer in the world.
Approximately half of all arms supplies to Europe are from the United States. This is due to the technological advantage of American systems, as well as the desire of European countries to obtain modern weapons as quickly as possible in the face of growing security risks.
The Russian-Ukrainian war marked the growing role and importance of unmanned technologies and demonstrated their irreplaceability in reconnaissance, defense and strike operations. NATO countries that aim to strengthen their defense potential should borrow Ukrainian experience and acquire or take its technological developments as a basis. It was drones that helped Ukraine “build muscle” in the face of a shortage of Western ammunition and adapt to changes on the battlefield. The massive use of FPV drones has become one of the key factors in the destruction of enemy armored vehicles and personnel on the battlefield.
The current defense strategies of the world’s leading countries, such as the United States, are being “hastily” rewritten to take into account the opportunities that unmanned systems open up. Some Western defense companies are already considering launching drone production programs in conjunction with Ukrainian manufacturers. The Ukrainian model of rapid introduction of unmanned innovations and their mass use in the combat zone is impressive and should be scaled beyond its borders.
The role of UAVs in modern combat operations cannot be overestimated. Over the years of the Russian-Ukrainian war, they have proven their high efficiency and are able to replace and complement traditional means of destruction. According to the Ukrainian government, in 2024, the production of drones exceeded one million units, and in 2025 the production rate continued to grow.
Ukrainian manufacturers have scaled up the production of UAVs from reconnaissance and tactical FPV drones to long-range weapons of destruction. If before the full-scale war there were only seven manufacturers, now there are more than 500 companies in Ukraine that produce drones. Ukraine has achieved the greatest success in the production and use of naval drones. It produces strike and reconnaissance naval drones, the main ones of which are MAGURA V5, Sea Baby, Mamai, and the underwater drone Marichka. These devices are capable of carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives and hitting targets at long distances. In this way, the Ukrainians managed to destroy or significantly damage a significant part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Despite the rapid growth of defense budgets, Europe’s rearmament faces a number of problems, one of which is the limited production capacity of the defense industry. After the end of the Cold War, many enterprises reduced production and prevented the threat of a major war. Rapidly increasing ammunition production takes time. The realities of the Ukrainian-Russian war have proven that the current annual volume of ammunition production exceeds the hot phase of hostilities by a month or two. Europe is entering the phase of the largest rearmament since the Cold War. The next 2–3 years will be a transition stage from patching holes in the defense and security spheres to building up real military potential. It should be remembered that Russia will closely monitor these dynamics, and a well-armed Europe will reduce the appetites of the Kremlin hawks and the desire to test it for strength.