However, even the large Member States are finding it difficult to shoulder the financial burdens imposed by the cost of developing new weapons systems. The reorganisation of armed forces since the end of the cold war has led to a numerical reduction in stocks of conventional defence equipment, but has also created new requirements in terms of quality.
Cu toate acestea, chiar şi cele mai mari state membre se confruntă cu dificultăţi în a face faţă sarcinilor financiare impuse de costul dezvoltării unor noi sisteme de arme.Reorganizarea forţelor armate de la sfârşitul războiului rece a determinat reducerea numerică a stocurilor de echipament convenţional de apărare, dar a creat şi noi cerinţe în ceea ce priveşte calitatea.