Why does Europe need to increase its defense spending now?

Europe must increase defense spending due to its historical reliance on American military support. According to General Sir Richard Shirreff, European nations have been 'freeloading off American largesse for umpteen decades' and now face the urgent task of replacing capabilities that America previously brought to the NATO alliance. This shift requires substantial financial commitment as Europe can no longer depend on US military resources. General Shirreff emphasizes that NATO's continued respect and effectiveness depend directly on Europe demonstrating its willingness to invest in its own defense capabilities, marking a critical turning point for European security strategy.