NATO Commander Says European Armies Face Manpower Shortages

Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, has said that European armies are facing a shortage of personnel, a problem he said makes it difficult to rapidly strengthen their military capabilities.

Grynkewich said it is not possible to build a large army in a short period of time and that solving the problem would require changes to conscription laws. He added that some European countries have already begun the process of changing these laws.

The remarks come as NATO’s European members come under growing pressure to boost their defence capabilities and increase their contribution of personnel and military equipment to the alliance.

NATO officials have previously also stressed the need to expand Europe’s military capacity and reduce the continent’s dependence on the United States’ military capabilities.