On July 13, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he hopes to accelerate defense spending, aiming to double France's military budget by 2027—three years earlier than previously planned.
In 2017, the country’s military budget stood at €32 billion (US$37.4 billion). Now, it is projected to increase to €64 billion (US$74.76 billion) by 2027.
Indeed, as the global geopolitical situation is becoming more complex, Western nations are looking to increase their military spending. While the Trump administration pursues a Ukraine peace deal that could favor Moscow over Kyiv, European nations are rethinking their defense strategies.
This gallery looks into the European countries with the strongest militaries, highlighting their readiness to navigate these growing geopolitical challenges. Click on for the top 30.