The US provides most of NATO’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, including satellites, which has proved critical in the response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Replacing that would cost Europe US$4.8 billion, according to the report, “Progress and Shortfalls in Europe’s Defence.” European officials say the US must continue to provide that under a peace deal, so Ukrainian and European forces can be alerted to any Russian breach.
European leaders, eyeing crucial gaps in their countries’ defence capabilities, are still holding out hope that Donald Trump will make good on his offer to give Ukraine concrete security guarantees, even as a negotiated peace looks increasingly improbable.
Europe has critical shortfalls in space-based intelligence and surveillance, and integrated air and missile defence — the primary areas that the UK- and French-led coalition of the willing hopes US assistance will cover. It would cost Europe US$1 trillion to replace conventional US military capabilities assigned to the region, according to an International Institute for Strategic Studies report published this week.
