Europe’s Military Training Crisis: Why the Continent Is Unprepared for War

When Russia crossed the Dnipro in 2022, the shock was felt far beyond the front lines. Europe’s military doctrine—thin, underfunded, and overly reliant on peacetime assumptions—was unmasked for what it is: a hollow structure ill-equipped for the rigours of modern warfare. At the heart of this problem lies a neglected and quietly dangerous weakness: military training.

From the Baltic to the Adriatic, European governments are scrambling to relearn the basics of readiness. The military training fields that once echoed with drills and manoeuvres now struggle to accommodate underprepared, under-resourced troops. The problem is not just one of money or weapons—it is one of mindset. Europe has forgotten how to train for war.

A Rusted Core Beneath the Uniform

Since the end of the Cold War, European militaries have shed their bulk, adopted professionalisation, and geared themselves toward peacekeeping or overseas interventions. For many, combat readiness gave way to theoretical exercises and token deployments.

The result is a generation of officers and soldiers more familiar with counterinsurgency doctrine than high-intensity, combined-arms warfare. In Germany, even senior officers acknowledge that large-scale live-fire exercises are a rarity, stymied by political concerns and limited range availability.

Many formations that exist on paper—battalions, brigades, even entire divisions—simply lack the cohesion or combat experience to operate effectively.

Ammunition: The Fuel That’s Running Out

You cannot train an army on promises. You need shells, bullets, and missiles. Yet across Europe, stockpiles have been drained by the war in Ukraine.

Live-fire training has been scaled back in Germany, rationed in France, and curtailed altogether in some smaller NATO members. Units are increasingly forced to rely on simulators and blank rounds—not out of preference, but necessity.

With the continent’s defence industry only now beginning to ramp up production, it may take years before Europe can restore munitions levels adequate for both warfighting and training. Until then, realism in exercises will remain a luxury.

NATO in Name, Not Always in Practice

Interoperability is a NATO watchword. But the reality is less impressive. Differences in equipment, doctrine, and training culture undermine genuine operational synergy.

For example, a Norwegian mechanised unit and a Spanish infantry battalion might both operate under NATO command—but their ability to coordinate effectively in the field is far from guaranteed.

Language barriers, divergent command protocols, and differing levels of readiness make true integration difficult. In a fast-moving conflict, these weaknesses could lead to confusion or even operational failure.

The Shrinking Battlefield at Home

A less visible but critical issue is Europe’s training infrastructure—or rather, the lack of it. Military training grounds are increasingly hemmed in by environmental regulations, civilian developments, or political sensitivities.

In the Netherlands, heavy vehicle manoeuvres are restricted by noise ordinances. In Germany, opposition from local councils often delays or halts key exercises. Italy has seen legal challenges shutter important facilities altogether.

Without the space to practise large-scale operations, formations cannot rehearse the complexity of modern warfare. The result is a generation of troops trained in theory, not execution.

Leaning Too Hard on Anglo-American Shoulders

When it comes to serious training, Europe remains largely dependent on the United States and the United Kingdom. Programmes like Britain’s Operation Interflex and U.S.-led NATO exercises provide most of the continent’s combat learning backbone.

But this reliance carries risks. What happens if Washington pulls back, or if a Trump-led White House deprioritises European defence? Most EU states are not prepared to fill the vacuum.

There is no equivalent European training initiative of sufficient scale. Without Anglo-American leadership, NATO’s training capacity would shrink overnight—and with it, Europe’s preparedness.

Not Ready for the Future Fight

While Ukraine’s battlefields have made drones, cyberattacks, and electronic warfare household terms, European militaries remain slow to adapt.

Some bright spots exist: the Nordic states are integrating drone tactics, Estonia is pioneering cyber exercises. But across much of the continent, new technologies are seen as add-ons rather than core capabilities.

Counter-drone measures, digital targeting systems, and electronic warfare training remain underdeveloped. In many southern and eastern European armies, these concepts are barely understood, let alone mastered. The training gap is widening—and adversaries are watching.

Big Budgets, Small Results

Europe’s leaders have not been shy about boosting defence budgets. Germany’s €100 billion Zeitenwende, Poland’s dramatic spending increases, and promises across the continent reflect a growing sense of urgency.

But the money often arrives slowly, and much of it is earmarked for procurement rather than training. Defence ministries struggle with bureaucratic inertia and public skepticism. Complex exercises are politically sensitive and logistically difficult.

In countries like Spain, Ireland, and Belgium, pacifist sentiment continues to shape policy. Even modest NATO drills can spark protest. As a result, training is often limited to what is politically convenient, not militarily necessary.

Can Conscription Fill the Gaps?

With volunteer recruitment faltering, several states are revisiting conscription. Sweden and Lithuania have already reintroduced it. Denmark is expanding its model. Germany is actively considering a civilian service programme with a military option.

But bringing back conscription without the infrastructure to train, house, and equip these new troops is risky. Many nations lack the instructors, ranges, or doctrine to make conscription effective.

Unless backed by a robust mobilisation plan and sufficient resources, conscription risks becoming a cosmetic gesture rather than a strategic solution.

Fighting in Snow, Smoke and Cities

The Ukrainian conflict has shown that modern war is not a clean affair. It is cold, dirty, and often fought in cities. Yet many European armies are poorly trained for such conditions.

Britain, Finland, and Norway maintain cold-weather training programmes. But elsewhere, especially in southern Europe, few troops are prepared for trench warfare, urban sieges, or prolonged winter operations.

This is no minor concern. The failure to train for extreme conditions could cost lives and missions in any future conflict—particularly in Eastern Europe or the Baltics.

Brussels vs. Brussels: Who Leads?

Finally, there is the issue of leadership. Should Europe’s military training be led by NATO or the EU?

The NATO command structure, centred on SHAPE, has the experience and infrastructure. But Brussels has pushed for a greater EU role, particularly through its Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine (EUMAM).

The result? Redundancy, miscommunication, and political friction. Member states are pulled in two directions. The lack of coordination between NATO and EU initiatives is not just inefficient—it’s dangerous.

Conclusion: From Gesture to Readiness

Europe is rearming. Defence budgets are rising. Uniforms are being issued. But unless training becomes central—not symbolic—these efforts will amount to little more than pageantry.

War is no longer a distant prospect. It is a realistic planning scenario. And Europe must be prepared not only to field troops, but to field them effectively. That means training—real, rigorous, sustained, and scalable.

The battlefield begins on the training ground. If Europe cannot master that terrain, as appears to be the case, it will struggle on any other.

Main Image: French soldiers training alongside the Parachute Regiment of the British Army, By Cpl Robert Weideman/MOD, OGL 3, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=101713083

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