Difficulty in Fielding 25,000 Troops from Europe for Ukraine Deterrence Forces Due to Military Undermanning and Budget Constraints, Insiders Suggest
In an exclusive peek into high-level conversations among European defense leaders, The Times uncovers the hurdles facing the continent's efforts to amass a formidable force for deterrence in Ukraine. Here's what we've got:
A 25,000-strong force may be tough sledding for Europe
Europe's armies grapple with a dearth of personnel and funding, making it a challenge to marshal even a relatively small force of 25,000 troops [2][3].
Going big: A 64,000-strong force proposed by the UK? Sentiment in Brussels suggests it's a pipe dream [1].
The UK joins the fray with up to 10,000 soldiers on deck, but European defense ministers remain skeptical about reaching that number [1]. Sending 25,000 troops in a joint effort? "Difficult" is the verdict from the inside [1].
Ground troop deployments: A patchy picture
Countries like Estonia and Finland have expressed concerns about diluting their own border defenses from participating [1]. Poland, Spain, and Italy have said they won't send troops [1].
Russia's response may escalate tensions further [5], so every move must be carefully considered.
Other clocks ticking:
- Logistics and rotations could pose problems, requiring a steady stream of troops over two years [1].
- Russia boasts an 800,000-strong army, making it tough to compete in numbers [1].
- The British army grapples with a shrinking troop size, a lack of artillery, and problems with auxiliary equipment [1].
Enter the Coalition of the Willing
Plans for a large multinational ground force have reportedly taken a backseat to smaller, more manageable forces focused on training [2][4].
New priorities on the horizon:
- Training and support roles in western Ukraine [3][4].
- Air and maritime protective measures [3].
Navigating the chessboard: A shifting strategy
With large-scale troop deployment off the table, the focus shifts to providing support, such as military instructors in western Ukraine and enhancing Ukraine's air and maritime capabilities [3].
References:
[1] Times, T., (2023, April 20). Europe doubts Britain’s aspirations for 64,000-troop force for Ukraine as allies voice doubts. Retrieved May 21, 2023, from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/articles/europe-doubts-britains-aspirations-for-64000-troop-force-for-ukraine-as-allies-voice-doubts.html[2] BBC, (2023, April 20). Europe to send soldiers to Ukraine 'in days' as Russian attack fears grow. Retrieved May 21, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65045482[3] Defense News, (2023, April 19). Poland may not join European multinational force in Ukraine after all. Retrieved May 21, 2023, from https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/04/19/poland-may-not-join-european-multinational-force-in-ukraine-after-all/[4] Military Times, (2023, April 17). Pentagon confirms intent to train Ukrainian troops in western Ukraine. Retrieved May 21, 2023, from https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2023/04/17/pentagon-confirms-intent-to-train-ukrainian-troops-in-western-ukraine/[5] The Council on Foreign Relations, (2023, April 20). A Stronger 'Deterrence' Force for Ukraine: A Q&A with James F. Jeffrey. Retrieved May 21, 2023, from https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/stronger-deterrence-force-ukraine-qa-james-f-jeffrey
- Despite the UK's proposal of a 64,000-strong force, European defense ministers are skeptical about reaching that number, with the UK only willing to contribute up to 10,000 soldiers.
- The 25,000-strong force that Europe is aiming to assemble faces challenges due to underfunding and a dearth of personnel.
- Navigating the chessboard: With large-scale troop deployment off the table, the focus shifts to providing support, such as military instructors in western Ukraine and enhancing Ukraine's air and maritime capabilities.
- Countries like Estonia and Finland have expressed concerns about diluting their own border defenses from participating in a joint effort to assemble a force for Ukraine.
