Nine countries meet to kickstart European force
Defence ministers from nine European countries will meet in Paris on 7 November to set out plans for a joint force that could rapidly be deployed in response to a conflict or natural disaster.
Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal have joined the French-led project - along with the UK, just as Brexit looms.
A source close to the talks said Finland is also set to join the European Intervention Initiative, known as EI2, which would be independent of both the European Union and NATO.
The meeting comes a day after French President Emmanuel Macron, who has pushed for a more muscular European defence policy since his arrival in power last year, called for a ‘real European army’.
Europe can ensure its own protection against Russia and even, under an unpredictable President Donald Trump, the United States, only through united defence, he said.
‘We need a Europe which defends itself better alone, without just depending on the United States,’ he said.
But the idea of an ‘EU army’ is highly sensitive in member states that jealously guard defence as a matter of national sovereignty.
A French government source later played down Macron's comments, saying that he was not talking about a truly supranational military spanning the continent.
The idea behind EI2 is to be able to rapidly mount a joint military operation, evacuate civilians, or provide aid after a disaster.
The 7 November meeting is intended to lay out a ‘roadmap’ identifying the nine countries' priorities -- including geographical zones of particular interest - which senior military officials will develop from 8 November.
‘It's about reinforcing Europeans' capacity to act independently to guarantee their security whenever that's necessary,’ said an aide to French Defence Minister Florence Parly.
Plans for EI2 come as Trump has repeatedly distanced himself from the NATO military alliance, which has underpinned European security since World War II.
More from Defence Notes
-
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.