EU report: Europe needs more agile forces and a change in focus in the face of Russian aggression
The EU’s belief in a need for HALE UAVs may need to be tempered following the cautionary tale of Germany's expansive failure, the Eurohawk. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
The 2023 EU Capability Development Priorities plan outlines changes in defence posture based on political guidance provided by the Strategic Compass, as well as lessons observed from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
EU Ministers of Defence have signed off on the 2023 EU Capability Development Priorities (CDP) which highlights 22 priorities and reflects the military realities observed in Ukraine, supports EU defence objectives and is designed to lead to concrete projects.
Aside from the usual focus on the need for platforms ranging from MBTs to fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, the report highlights the need for full spectrum cyber defence operations capabilities and electromagnetic spectrum operations dominance.
In its overview of the report, the EU states ‘it reflects the changes in the EU’s strategic environment, political guidance provided by the Strategic Compass [the union's
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