This year’s conference saw a highly anticipated speech from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, representing the Trump administration. The event highlighted a visible shift in Europe’s military approach, particularly with an eye towards evolving threats from countries like Russia and China. The slogan displayed prominently at the conference, ‘The security of Europe is under construction,’ reflects a significant change in Europe’s defense posture.

In southern Bavaria, Germany has emerged as a key hub for defense technology, concentrating on advancements in artificial intelligence, drones, and aerospace sectors. This transformation has occurred against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, which have compelled both local residents and European leaders to reassess their security frameworks. The historical reluctance towards overt military displays is rapidly dissipating as nations recognize the pressing need to adapt to a more perilous international climate.

Many Europeans feel increasingly vulnerable, caught between an aggressive Russia to the east and a confrontational China, while also grappling with a shifting U.S. policy that under the Trump administration has been less predictable than in previous years. The military buildup and the call for further cooperation among European nations serve as a response to these geopolitical pressures, aiming to restore a sense of stability and security across the continent. This move not only underscores the increasing militarization in Europe but also reveals the underlying divisions that this militarization has sparked among European countries regarding their response strategies to external threats.