Without US support, Europe would have to invest 250 billion euros a year and deploy 300 additional soldiers to defend itself against Russia, according to a report published today by the Bruegel Research Institute and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

The report states that Europe will need to deploy "around 50 additional brigades with a total of 300 soldiers" and purchase "at least 1.400 new main battle tanks and 2.000 infantry fighting vehicles", exceeding the combined forces of Germany, France, Italy and the UK.

The report also says that "around 2.000 long-range drones" are needed per year. The report argues that the cost is manageable, amounting to just 1.5% of the EU's gross domestic product, a figure "far less than what had to be mobilised to overcome the Covid crisis".

He also points out that military coordination remains one of Europe's greatest challenges, with the continent's defense spread across 28 national armed forces.

"Self-insurance is more expensive than collective security," the report says, calling for "closer coordination and joint procurement."

"If each country tries to defend itself alone, it will cost more. Self-insurance is more expensive than collective security," the report says, AA reports.

To finance the expansion of defense, the report recommended increasing European defense spending to 3.5-4% of gross domestic product per year.

This would require an additional €250 billion in military spending, which could be partly financed through "joint European debt" and national contributions.

"Russia could have the military strength to attack EU states in the next three to ten years. We should classify this as a real risk," the report said.

While the challenge is daunting, the analysis highlights the potential economic benefits, noting that "a debt-financed increase in defense spending could also act as an economic stimulus."