Phoenix 24
Europe can purchase weapons, but it cannot manufacture the people needed to operate them.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — European governments are investing billions of euros in defense, yet their armed forces are struggling to recruit and retain enough personnel. EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has warned that Europe may need to deploy approximately 100,000 troops rapidly to deter a potential Russian buildup along NATO’s eastern frontier. Military experts question whether the continent’s depleted forces could currently meet that demand.
A survey coordinated by the European Organisation of Military Associations and Trade Unions described recruitment as problematic across much of the continent, while retention was considered problematic or critical. Low salaries, demanding working conditions, poor work-life balance and competition from the private sector are discouraging enlistment. Many experienced personnel reportedly leave after approximately 10 years of service, depriving armed forces of valuable expertise.
The manpower crisis also affects plans to expand reserve forces with cyber specialists, medical professionals and logistics experts. Reservists must balance civilian careers with military obligations, but many employers have little incentive to release skilled workers for training or deployment. Europe’s €800 billion rearmament initiative could therefore produce modern arsenals without creating the organizational structures required to use them effectively.
The debate extends beyond budgets and recruitment campaigns to Europe’s wider relationship with military service. Some countries are considering voluntary national programs or selective conscription, while efforts to restore compulsory registration have generated resistance among younger citizens. Europe’s security will ultimately depend not only on what it is willing to spend, but on how many people are willing to serve.
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