The problem is not cutting-edge equipment. European armies have good tanks, ships, and planes. Philippe Gros, a researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research, admits this without reservation. According to him, European forces are “generally on par with Russia” in terms of these equipment and “compensate for their numerical inferiorities with technological superiority.” Soldiers are well-trained and well-equipped. The issue lies everywhere else. Philippe Gros summarizes the situation in one sentence. We have “a little of everything and a lot of nothing.”
Why is the French army not completely ready?
The first problem is logistics. It has been “calibrated to the minimum for decades,” explains Philippe Gros. We’re talking about ammunition first and foremost. Ukraine fires up to 8,000 155mm shells per day. France only produced 500 per year between 2012 and 2017. It wasn’t until 2024 that the Ministry of Armed Forces increased the target to 100,000 per year.
But ammunition is not the only problem. Europe lacks trucks and transport planes to move troops. There is a shortage of maintenance and medical support capabilities. And on certain critical issues such as intelligence, air defense, or electronic warfare, the continent remains very dependent on the United States.
Léo-Péria-Peigné, a researcher at Ifri, points out that the European industry “is no longer able to provide certain equipment segments” in these areas. In essence, without the United States, Europe’s hands are tied behind its back. European armies are also behind on drones. Ukraine has shown that it is possible to compensate for numerical inferiority with inexpensive small aircraft capable of overwhelming enemy defenses.
In short, the needs are widespread. Defense analyst Maxime Cordet clearly states, “We cannot concentrate on one or two types of equipment. For many, we need to upgrade, and for many others, increase quantities.”
The problem is that the French defense industry is already running at full capacity. According to INSEE, the production capacity utilization rate was 91% in 2024. Order books cover several years. There are also talks of immediately filling 10,000 positions in the sector, according to the Directorate General of Armament. Accelerating the pace is simply impossible without building new factories. And a new production line means years of work and massive investments.
Context: The article discusses the challenges facing the French and European military in terms of equipment, logistics, and industry capabilities.
Fact Check: The article emphasizes the need for European countries to address various shortcomings in defense equipment and industry to ensure preparedness and sovereignty in the face of potential threats.
