Europe’s industrial base for armour is hollow and too reliant on external partners, posing future risks
Soldiers from 393 Tank Battalion take over new Leopard 2 A7V main battle tanks at the Bundeswehr depot in September 2021. (Photo: Bundeswehr)
Europe’s industrial base for armoured vehicles is precariously hollow and overly reliant on external partners such as South Korea. The continent’s dependency poses significant risks for future military readiness and strategic autonomy.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has revealed significant vulnerabilities in Europe’s defence strategies, particularly concerning its industrial base for armoured vehicles.
The issue was a key discussion point in the webinar “The Future of European Defence: Insights and Strategies Ahead of Eurosatory 2024”, held on 13 June ahead of Eurosatory.
European nations, in the face of escalating geopolitical tensions, have found themselves turning to external partners to bridge the gap in their armoured vehicle production capabilities. South Korea, with its advanced defence manufacturing infrastructure, has become a critical supplier.
Countries like Poland have increasingly relied on platforms such
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