High-end talent and skills have emerged as a decisive factor in Europe’s ability to convert greater spending into defence capabilities. Without a sufficient talent pool, the defence industrial base risks becoming a bottleneck rather than an enabler of security. The scale of the challenge is already visible. ASD Europe calculates that the European defence industry employs roughly 581,000 people, yet demand for labour has surged sharply since 2022, with job postings remaining over 40% higher than pre-war levels.
Firms in Europe report persistent difficulties in recruiting engineers, technicians and digital specialists, even as governments pledge hundreds of billions in additional defence spending. The European Commission openly recognises skills shortages as a structural constraint, warning that gaps in the labour market threaten Europe’s security. Eurostat indicates that the median age of the workforce in hightech manufacturing in Europe is about 42 to 44 years of age, so it is imperative that younger talent pools are tapped for the defence sector in the years ahead.
The challenge is not just about numbers.
Defence increasingly depends on advanced AI skills that are also in high demand in civilian sectors, intensifying competition for talent. Years of underinvestment, an ageing workforce and fragmented training systems have further strained the pool of specialised skills. While one estimate states that around 0.41% of Europe’s workforce are AI professionals, Europe continues to train talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects (STEM) that it struggles to retain, as they leave Europe.
Patria Group
Daniel Fiott 