The IISS has conducted an assessment of the financial costs and defence industrial requirements for NATO-Europe to defend against a future Russian threat without the United States. A US departure would create a ‘window of vulnerability’ for Europe. While much can be done to improve readiness and boost Europe’s industrial capacity – and buying abroad may help increase pace – European allies will face difficult trade-offs in certain capability areas. Indeed, looking to directly replace key parts of the US contribution would amount to approximately USD1 trillion.
