PARIS: Europe could struggle to mobilise enough troops or quickly produce enough weapons in case of a direct confrontation with Russia, a new report warned on Tuesday.

The French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), a top think tank, highlighted Europe’s wea­knesses in the event of a high-intensity conflict with Russia, which the authors describe as “a long-term threat”.

Europe needs to demonstrate political will and “a coherent defence economic strategy” to prepare for a possible confrontation with Russia over the next five years, said the report titled “Europe-Russia: Balance of Power Review”.

Thomas Gomart, the IFRI director, said it was important to “identify our strengths and weakne­s­ses”, pointing to Europe’s “critical military gaps”.

“European countries have the necessary potential, that is the economic resources, military capabilities and technological know-how to stand up to Russia by 2030, provided — and this is obviously the most important word — that they demonstrate political will,” he said.

European countries have upped military spending in a bid to contain Rus­sia since Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invas­ion of Ukraine in Feb 2022.

Last month, Fabien Mandon, France’s chief of the defence staff, said the country must be ready in the next three or four years for a clash with Russia, which “may be tempted to continue the war on our continent”.

Although Europe enjoys an advantage over Russia in aerospace and at sea, its land forces suffer from “critical shortfalls in depth and ammunition stockpiles”, the report said.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2025