【环时深度】因“爸爸梗”被嘲，欧洲防务离不开美国吗？

Group 1: Core Insights - The article highlights Europe's significant military dependence on the United States, particularly through NATO, which has led to a loss of strategic and defense autonomy for European nations [1][8][10] - The U.S. provides critical strategic capabilities, operational command, and tactical forces that Europe lacks, making it difficult for European countries to operate independently [3][4][6] - The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has exposed weaknesses in Europe's military capabilities, particularly in ammunition reserves and industrial capacity [4][6] Group 2: Military Dependence - Europe relies heavily on U.S. intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, with varying degrees of dependence among countries, from Denmark to France [5] - The U.S. maintains a dominant position in Europe's arms market, with European nations purchasing significantly more military equipment from the U.S. than from each other [6][10] - The presence of U.S. military bases across Europe reinforces this dependence, with approximately 84,000 U.S. troops stationed in Europe as of early 2025 [7] Group 3: Challenges to Autonomy - Efforts to achieve military independence in Europe face numerous challenges, including financial constraints and the need for greater unity among European nations [12][13] - The aspiration to create a unified European military force has been historically opposed by the U.S., which has contributed to the stagnation of such initiatives [9][10] - Recent reports indicate that while there is a trend towards increasing procurement from European suppliers, the overall military capability gap remains significant [14] Group 4: Future Plans - European nations are formulating plans to replace U.S. military roles within NATO over the next 5 to 10 years, with discussions involving key countries like the UK, France, and Germany [12][13] - The European Union aims to enhance its defense capabilities through increased investment in the defense industry and joint procurement initiatives [12] - Despite ongoing reliance on U.S. military support, there are signs of improvement in Europe's defense procurement, with a growing trend to favor European suppliers [14]