NATO report warns of potential jet fuel shortages threatening European defense

A study conducted by NATO's Energy Security Centre of Excellence has warned that Europe faces a significant risk of jet fuel shortages in the event of a large-scale military conflict. The decline in regional refining capacity, with roughly 25% of European refineries closing since 2009, poses a major threat to military readiness. Projections suggest a deficit of 4.7 million tonnes by 2035, potentially widening to 50 million tonnes by 2050, despite efforts to repurpose civilian supplies. To mitigate these risks, the report urges NATO members to protect existing infrastructure, expand strategic reserves, diversify import channels, and invest in alternative fuel production and efficiency. The findings emphasize that operational capability is fundamentally tied to securing the energy resources required to power military assets.