What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to examine how US doctrinal shifts have contributed to Europe's decreased heavy combat power.

March 10, 2026The US Army War College Quarterly Parameters0 citations

Imitating US Doctrine Cost Europe Its Heavy Combat Power

Key Points

The aim is to examine how US doctrinal shifts have contributed to Europe's decreased heavy combat power.
Conducted a counterfactual analysis using force structure data from Canada, Germany, and the UK from 1990 to 2022.
Isolated the impacts of adopting US expeditionary and counterinsurgency doctrines.
Investigated the loss of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and heavy artillery.
Highlighted significant losses in heavy combat equipment attributed to doctrinal changes rather than simply lack of funding.
Demonstrated that Europe’s military shortfalls are linked to strategic choices as much as fiscal issues.

Abstract

This article argues that Europe’s loss of heavy combat power is primarily the result of doctrinal shifts influenced by the United States, rather than underfunding alone. Unlike existing research that focuses on defense budgets or burden-sharing, this study isolates the opportunity costs of adopting US-based expeditionary and counterinsurgency doctrines. Using force structure data for Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom (1990–2022), it conducts a counterfactual analysis of lost tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and heavy artillery pieces. The article shows that Europe’s shortfalls are doctrinal as much as fiscal and highlights the relevance of maintaining balance in future doctrinal choices.

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