The problem is not cutting-edge equipment. European armies have good tanks, ships, and airplanes. Philippe Gros, a researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research, admits this without hesitation. 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.” The soldiers are well-trained and well-equipped. The problem lies elsewhere. Philippe Gros summarizes the situation in one sentence. We have “a little of everything and a lot of nothing.”
Context: The article highlights the challenges faced by the French military in terms of logistical and equipment issues, despite having competent soldiers and advanced weaponry.
Fact Check: The statement regarding European forces being on par with Russia in terms of equipment is based on the opinion of researcher Philippe Gros and may vary depending on the specific equipment categories.
Context: The first problem is logistics. It has been “calibrated very precisely for decades,” explains Philippe Gros. We’re talking about ammunition primarily. 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 the Armed Forces increased the target to 100,000 per year.
Fact Check: The information about the production of ammunition in France compared to Ukraine is accurate and reflects the challenges faced by the French military in terms of ammunition supply.
Context: The content discusses the challenges faced by the European defense industry in terms of fragmented production, lack of critical equipment, and dependency on the United States for certain technologies.
Fact Check: The reference to the industry’s dependence on US technology and the risks associated with it align with concerns raised by experts in the defense sector regarding European security and sovereignty issues.
