The European Union is falling behind its own defense timetable and may fail to reach the level of readiness it has set for a possible conflict with Russia by 2030. The assessment comes from a European Defence Agency report prepared for EU leaders, according to Reuters.

The document says European countries are expanding their military capabilities too slowly and inefficiently. Current efforts are not enough to close the existing gaps within the remaining time or meet the defense goals Brussels has set for the end of the decade.

Air and missile defense remain among the most serious weaknesses. The EU also lacks sufficient ammunition stocks and unmanned systems, while shortcomings persist in land forces and naval capabilities. All of these areas are considered crucial to Europe’s defense readiness plans.

The size of existing armed forces is another problem. Expanding them further will require additional funding, which is also in short supply. At the same time, differences between the militaries of individual European countries continue to limit their ability to operate as an effective integrated force.

Brussels believes the pace of the buildup must increase sharply. European countries are being urged to spend more on defense, expand weapons production and strengthen their military capabilities faster. Without that acceleration, the EU’s goal of reaching the required level of readiness by 2030 remains in doubt.