Europe talks a hard game on defence, so why is the ministry of defence more concerned with horse dentists, asks Michael Martins in today’s Notebook

Europe’s defence disconnect

A former boss at the US Embassy once told me a diplomat’s job was to visit the car dealership of government policy and check the tyres. Anyone can read headlines – the real insight comes from lifting the hood.

That lesson has come to mind often lately.

Across Europe, leaders are striking an increasingly hawkish tone. Keir Starmer wants to build a coalition of the willing to stabilise Ukraine. Germany’s new Chancellor wants the continent’s most powerful army. Emmanuel Macron muses about bringing back conscription. But the substance feels at odds with the soundbites.

Last month, one of the UK ministry of defence’s largest open tenders was for horse dentists. More than half of the rest were for buildings maintenance. The only European countries seemingly treating the threat landscape seriously are those bordering Russia, Ukraine or Belarus. And their budgets – while serious – aren’t deep enough to rebuild Europe’s defence-industrial base. Meanwhile, the........

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