Russia vs EU: Who Holds Greater Military Power?
The approved Russian defense budget for 2024 is 13.1 trillion rubles (146 billion dollars). This appears modest compared to the 343.2 billion euros spent by 27 EU countries. However, according to EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, Russia still outpaces the EU in military strength, and it will take time to catch up.
When adjusted for purchasing power parity, Russia's military spending in 2024 will be around 462 billion dollars, surpassing the combined total of the EU and the UK at 457 billion dollars. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) confirmed these findings in its report.
According to German intelligence estimates, Russia will spend 250 billion euros on defense in 2025, which is 10% of its GDP. While the EU spends about 1.9% of its GDP on defense, Russia has exceeded 6% and plans to raise this figure to 7.5% in 2025. Russia's tank production has increased by 220%, and armored vehicle production by 150%.
Personnel and Experience: Russia's Advantages
According to IISS, all European armies, including Turkey, have about 1.97 million active soldiers, exceeding the numbers in the US and Russia. However, Russia plans to increase its troop count to 1.5 million.
The key factor is experience: Russian military forces have been engaged in large-scale combat for over four years, providing them with significant advantages. Russia has approximately 3,460 tanks and has significantly ramped up production.
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Meanwhile, Europe faces a problem of diversity in armaments: 178 different types of systems, compared to 30 in the US. This creates challenges in coordination and command.
Nuclear Factor
Russia possesses 5,459 nuclear warheads, while France and the UK have 515 combined. This creates a significant quantitative asymmetry, although analysts note that this arsenal is sufficient for deterrence.
In 2025, France and the UK signed the Northwood Declaration to deepen coordination of nuclear operations, prompting a response from Russia.
Absence of a Unified Army in the EU
Comparison is further complicated by the EU's lack of a unified army and common doctrine. The 27 national armies have different budgets and strategies, making them less effective in the event of a conflict with Russia.
According to the Kiel Institute, to effectively counter Russia, Europe would need to deploy an additional 300,000 troops and increase defense spending. In 2025, defense spending across Europe reached 739 billion euros, a 14% increase from the previous year. The European Commission proposed the Rearm Europe plan to boost defense funding.
However, as noted in a report by the French Institute of International Relations, achieving military parity with Russia by 2030 will require political will.
