EU faces security dilemma amid growing distrust in US defence assistance

The European Union's leadership is grappling with a significant shift in security dynamics, as growing concerns over its dependence on U.S. defense support threaten to unravel long-standing military relations.

For years, Europe has heavily relied on American-made arms, with the U.S. serving not only as a supplier but as a key security ally, hosting military production and maintenance centers across the continent. However, recent developments have prompted a reassessment of these dependencies, a material by Euractiv reads. 

A key turning point came when the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump restricted Ukraine's access to vital technology needed to support F-16 fighter jets, signaling a crack in the U.S.-Europe defense relationship. This move has eroded Europe's trust in Washington as a dependable partner, as European leaders now face the reality that they could lose access to critical U.S. weapons systems they have relied on for decades.

“There will be no European alternative available for the F-35 in the decades to come,” Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken warned, emphasizing that the American-made fighter jet remains unrivaled in terms of performance and value for money. Francken pointed to the F-35's superior speed, stealth, and radar capabilities, which continue to make it a cornerstone of European defense plans.

As European leaders contemplate their future defense strategies, the reality is clear: building a viable European alternative to the F-35 is a daunting task. The Franco-German-Spanish initiative to develop a next-generation fighter jet, launched several years ago, is not expected to be ready until 2040 at the earliest. Similar efforts by other European countries, including the UK, Italy, and Japan, are also years away from delivering an alternative.

The growing uncertainty over European defense capabilities has sparked discussions within the EU about the need for greater independence in military technology and production. However, the task ahead is monumental, with no immediate solutions in sight for the continent's security dilemma.

By Khagan Isayev