Germany's large-scale rearmament has drawn both admiration and concern among its European allies, underscoring the continent's continued dependence on a U.S.-led NATO. Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that the European Union cannot defend itself alone, emphasizing NATO's pacifying role. Germany has pledged unprecedented defense spending to transform the Bundeswehr into a major European army, but the move raises fears that its growing arsenal could marginalise other European powers or threaten them. France, Italy and Spain, whose budgets for defence are limited, worry that Germany's rise may push them to the margins. The surge of the nationalist right‑wing AfD in Germany further fuels anxieties that a non‑pro‑European government could alter the balance. Scandinavian, Baltic and Polish states invest heavily relative to their economies, yet few can match Germany's pace. The debate highlights the need for a strong NATO partnership to maintain European security.

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