Europe is short on military personnel and its defense capabilities remain inadequate, despite increased spending after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a study released today by a British think tank.

The report comes as European countries question the continuation of US military support for Ukraine after the election of Donald Trump to the US presidency, and calls to strengthen the continent’s defenses are growing.

Europe’s main armed forces “remain understaffed, with too many of them continuing to lose troops without providing sufficient incentives for the younger generation to enlist,” according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

“They continue, to varying degrees, to rely on the US in all military sectors,” notes this group of experts, which is organizing a forum on strengthening European defense until Sunday in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

“European NATO members have increased their spending by 50%” since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has highlighted many weaknesses in Europe’s ability to guarantee its security.

The arsenal “has been significantly reduced since the end of the Cold War” and “the defense industry in Europe has also shrunk,” according to the study.

Production in some sectors, notably air defense and artillery, has nevertheless increased significantly from 2022, with arms manufacturers responding to Ukraine’s needs.

For example, Rheinmetall’s annual production of 155mm ammunition increased tenfold to 700,000 pieces.

Half of European NATO countries’ orders are now given to European companies, compared to 34% of orders placed for US systems.

On Wednesday, the new EU Defense Commissioner Andrews Kubilius said that the EU will spend more on its defense, not because of Donald Trump’s re-election to the White House, but because of the Russian threat.

As European leaders meet in Budapest, French President Emmanuel Macron said they should not “forever entrust” their security to Washington.