There Will Never Be A European Army

Andreas Kluth, Bloomberg: A European Army? It’ll Never Happen.

The dream of an EU alternative to U.S. protection is just that. NATO remains as essential as ever.

As NATO allies gather near London this week, existential questions hover in the air above the swanky Grove Hotel: How long will we be around as an alliance? Do we still look united enough to deter aggressors? And can a “European army” spring up to supplement, perhaps even replace, our transatlantic league?

The short answer to that last question is no. Tragically, there won’t be a European army soon, or ever. European leaders should admit that honestly, and all members the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, above all the Americans, should accept that they’d better do their level best to dispel doubts about the alliance. The reality is that, for the foreseeable future, NATO is the only credible military shield Europe has.

The main culprit for this new anxiety is of course U.S. President Donald Trump, whose “transactional” attitude toward NATO has spooked Europeans. He’s right to criticize cheapskates such as Germany for skimping on their military spending. But he’s irresponsible to imply that America’s commitment to Article 5 — which states that an attack against one member state is an attack against all — may be conditional. The main purpose of alliances is deterrence, and that requires unconditional assurances.

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WNU Editor: The above commentary and analysis is spot on. And if there is a European Army one day,  it will be small and limited.

EU To Spend €525m For Military Projects But Illegal Tech Is Barred

The EU is set for a €13bn European Defence Fund in 2021. (Photo: NATO)

EU Observer: EU rolls out €525m for military projects, but bars illegal tech

The European Commission on Tuesday (19 March) announced hundreds of millions of EU funds for joint defence industrial projects - but promised that anything prohibited by international law would not be funded.

"Before this commission, the EU budget devoted to defence cooperation was zero," European commission vice-president Jyrki Katainen told reporters in Brussels.

His statement follows announcements of €525m of EU money earmarked for a whole range of military defence projects covering things like "counter-drone systems", "space situational awareness", "ground-based precision strike capabilities", "cyber technologies", and others.

The bulk of the money will go towards some 21 projects.

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WNU Editor: I would like to know what illegal tech is being barred.

French President Macron Calls For 'A Real European Army' To Protect The Continent From China, Russia, And The U.S.

Emmanuel Macron arrive to attend a military exercise at the military camp of Suippes, near Reims, France © Reuters

Daily Mail: Macron calls for 'a real European army' to 'protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States'

* French President Emmanuel Macron wants a 'real European army'
* He said it would protect continent 'with respect to China, Russia and the U.S'
* Speech came as world leaders head to France for World War I centenary

Emmanuel Macron has today called for 'a real European army' to protect the continent from growing military threats - including the United States.

The French President said China and Russia were becoming increasingly powerful, and that the U.S. under President Donald Trump could not be relied upon for defence.

The 40-year-old said some of the actions taken by the U.S. President would have consequences for security in Europe.

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WNU Editor: The French President calls for a European Army is a follow-up on these remarks .... Macron warns 'nationalist leprosy' threatens Europe (NBC).

More News On French President Macron Calling For 'A Real European Army'

Macron calls for 'real European army' to defend against Russia and US -- AFP
France's Macron pushes for 'true European army' -- BBC
Emmanuel Macron calls for creation of a ‘true European army’ to defend against Russia and the US -- The Independent
Macron criticizes ‘ultra-liberal’ Europe, calls for EU army -- Politico
French President Emmanuel Macron Proposes Creation of 'Real European Army' -- Sputnik
Macron wants ‘real European army’ to combat Russian threat & end reliance on US -- RT
French President Emmanuel Macron Proposes Creation of 'Real European Army' -- Sputnik

Europe Wants To Develop Their Own Sixth-Generation Fighter

German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon takes-off during the air policing scramble in Amari air base, Estonia, March 2, 2017. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

Reuters: Europe faces Herculean challenge to develop new fighter jet


Europe is embarking on an expensive and politically charged effort to develop a new combat jet that will shape the future of the European fighter industry and its three existing programs: Eurofighter, France's Rafale and Sweden's Gripen.

Two people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters early talks had started on whether and how European countries could co-operate on a new sixth-generation fighter, which could involve a combination of manned and unmanned systems.

Though complicated by Britain's decision to leave the European Union, business executives and politicians at the Paris Airshow this week said U.S. President Donald Trump's cooler stance toward Europe had given the effort some fresh momentum.

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WNU Editor: Europe definitely has the expertise .... but do they have the monies/resources to commit to the development to such a project .... I just do not see it in today's age of austerity.

Europe's NATO Members Are Fielding Armies That Have Rampant Material Shortages And Are Equip With Old And Inadequate Equipment

Wall Street Journal: Europe Reckons With Its Depleted Armies

As European NATO members confront rampant materiel shortages, officials acknowledge Trump has a point in calling for more military spending.

Soldiers in Germany’s Light Infantry Battalion 413 near the Baltic Sea coast complained last year that they didn’t have enough sniper rifles or antitank weapons or the right kind of vehicles.

During exercises, they told a parliamentary ombudsman, their unit didn’t have the munitions to simulate battle. Instead, they were told to imagine the bangs.

Across Europe, similar shortfalls riddle land, sea, air and cyber forces following years of defense cutbacks.

U.S. President Donald Trump last month irked European leaders when he berated them at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s new headquarters for insufficient defense spending and what he called unpaid military bills.

Current and former European officials were quick to point out that NATO members don’t owe dues to the U.S., but they acknowledged Mr. Trump wasn’t wrong: Europe lacks the capabilities to defend itself.

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WNU Editor: Europe spends a combined total of $242 billion on its military .... but its armies are depleted and its military resources are sparse and inadequate. Something is terribly wrong with this picture.

EU President Wants A European Army

EU Observer: EU commission chief makes case for European army

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said the EU should establish its own army to show Russia it is serious about defending European values.

In an interview with Die Welt am Sonntag, Juncker said "Europe has lost a huge amount of respect. In foreign policy too, we don't seem to be taken entirely seriously."

An army would allow the EU to react in a "credible manner" to threats to peace in a member state or in a neighbouring country, he noted.

"You would not create a European army to use it immediately," said Juncker, who was previously prime minister of Luxembourg. "But a common European army would send a clear message to Russia that we are serious about defending European values."

More News On The European Commission President Wanting The Establishment Of A European Army

Juncker calls for EU army, says would deter Russia -- Reuters
Juncker calls for collective EU army -- Deutsche Welle
We need a European army, says Jean-Claude Juncker -- BBC
Jean-Claude Juncker calls for EU army -- The Guardian
Juncker: NATO is not enough, EU needs an army -- EurActiv
Now the EU wants its own ARMY: Brussels chief Jean-Claude Juncker calls for European force to face down Putin -- Daily Mail
Spooked by Putin, EU Brass Considers a European Army -- Fiscal Times
Outrage as EU chief calls for EURO ARMY commanded by Brussels to take on Russia and IS -- Express
Idea of Creating Pan-European Army Targets Russia – German Opposition -- Sputnik
European Commission chief urges ‘joint EU army,’ Germany backs decision -- RT

The 4 Deadliest Military Powers In Europe

Dave Majumdar, National Interest: Europe's 4 Deadliest Military Powers

While Asia might get all the headlines when it comes to defense budgets and advanced weapon systems, Europe's militaries can pack quite a punch.

Throughout modern history, Europe has fielded some of the world’s most capable military forces. While many of those powers are nowhere near their zenith, they still field some of the most technologically advanced forces anywhere on Earth.

WNU Editor: Europe has a long history of fielding very deadly and effective armies .... and that is not going to change in my lifetime.

EU Agrees To Boost Defence Cooperation

EU To Boost Joint Military Projects -- BBC

EU leaders say the 28-nation bloc's defence capabilities must be improved, to make military deployments more rapid and effective.

In a joint statement in Brussels they called for the development of drones and air-to-air refuelling planes.

Earlier, UK Prime Minister David Cameron warned against attempts to give the EU - rather than Nato - a bigger role in co-ordinating defence policy.

It is the first EU summit for five years to examine defence policy.

Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who attended the talks, said military operations had also shown a need for more European heavy transport planes.

He played down differences between EU and Nato plans, saying: "I don't see any contradiction between strengthened defence in Europe and a stronger Nato."

But he added: "We're not talking about the EU possessing capabilities; there is a need for nations to do more to acquire much-needed military capabilities".

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More News On The EU Agreeing To Boost Defence Cooperation

EU leaders agree to increase military cooperation -- Deutsche Welle
Amid austerity, EU agrees to boost defence cooperation -- Reuters
NATO Chief Urges EU Nations To Enhance Defense Capabilities -- RTT
EU leaders agree to boost cooperation on military projects -- Euronews
EU Leaders Agree to Increase Defense Cooperation -- Novinite
Rasmussen Backs EU Military Capability Drive -- Defense News
Cameron rules out EU military forces -- AFP
EU leaders agree limited defence cooperation, divided on future -- Global Post/AFP

Can Europe Still Meet Its Military Obligations?

Can Europe Shoulder Its Military Burden On Its Own? -- Sara Miller Llana, Christian Science Monitor

As the US turns to Asia, pressure is rising on the EU to police itself, North Africa, and the Mideast.

When in March 2011 the United Nations Security Council created a "no fly" zone in Libya, it was British and French armed forces that launched the intervention against the regime of Muammar Qaddafi.

Not two years later, as a European Union training mission stalled while radical Islamic rebels gained a foothold in northern Mali, France acted unilaterally, sending 2,500 troops last January to its former colony in the Sahel.

These are the exact scenarios the United States has said it envisions for the 21st century.

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My Comment: The Europeans lack many of the essential tools necessary for a sustained military commitment. A lack of aerial tankers is only the tip of the iceberg on what they are missing .... they also lack the necessary transport/naval assets/and a steady supply of ordinances to function properly in a war-zone.

If the economy was sound, I am sure that the Europeans would invest the necessary funds to have a proper military .... but their economy is not sound .... and more to the point .... government coffers and the political will to address these issues are empty.

Update: A must read article on how cutbacks have taken their toll on European armies is here.

Europe's Shrinking Defense Budgets

Shrinking Europe Military Spending Stirs Concern -- New York Times

BRUSSELS — Alarmed by years of cuts to military spending, the NATO secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, issued a dire public warning to European nations, noting that together they had slashed $45 billion, or the equivalent of Germany’s entire military budget, endangering the alliance’s viability, its mission and its relationship with the United States.

That was two years ago. Since then, with the Afghan war winding down and pressure from the European Union to limit budget deficits, Europe has only cut deeper.

Now, as President Obama wrestles with his own huge budget deficit and military costs, the responsibility for keeping NATO afloat has fallen disproportionately onto the United States, an especially untenable situation as priorities shift to Asia.

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My Comment: In my lifetime I have seen Europe become morally, politically, and economically bankrupted. The will to even consider defending their borders and to have .... at best .... a military that can function at a minimum has vanished. i can understand why this sentiment prevails throughout Europe. There are no serious external threats. The U.S. will come to their assistance if a crisis should occur. And .... more importantly .... they want to spend their money on their social programs and agendas.

Update: Doug Bandow at Forbes is probably right .... "NATO's lack of any serious purpose means it should retire".

France's EU Military Plans Gets Backing From The Brits

Britain's Defence Secretary John Hutton (right) shakes hands with an Afghan general at the defence ministry in Kabul October 22. Hutton expressed support for French plans to strengthen European defence capacity, saying: "If we can support it, we should" in an interview published Sunday. (AFP/File/Massoud Hossaini)

British Defence Secretary Backs French EU Military Plans
-- Yahoo News/AFP

LONDON, (AFP) – Britain's new Defence Secretary John Hutton expressed support for French plans to strengthen European defence capacity, saying: "If we can support it, we should" in an interview published Sunday.

Hutton, who only got the job following a reshuffle of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Cabinet this month, said it was "perfectly sensible" to work with European Union allies on such issues.

He went on to describe "EU haters" as "pathetic" in an interview with The Sunday Times newspaper.

France, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, wants to ensure that Europe can stand alone militarily if it needs to. The aim is to be able to deploy 60,000 troops with air and naval support within 60 days by 2018.

But one of its main goals -- the establishment of a real EU military headquarters in Brussels -- has been blocked by Britain, which is keen not to double up on work being done by the NATO military alliance.

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My Comment: Proponents for an EU plan have trouble explaining how this will differ from NATO. As far as I am concerned, this is only a duplication of bureaucracy and a way to satisfy French participation. If implemented, in the event of an emergency, I am sure confusion will reign because both NATO and this proposed EU organization will state that they have first dibs on any military force projection.

EU Defense Is About To Be Downgraded

A European joint defense may be necessary to avoid stretching national budgets
(Photo: Deutsche-Welle)

EU Defense a Possible Victim of Financial Crisis: Analysts
-- Deutsche Welle

With the global financial crisis taking hold and governments on both sides of the Atlantic rushing to the aid of banks, analysts have forecast a potential long-term downsizing of military budgets in Europe and the US.

The pressure that has been applied by the current crisis and uncertainty over whether the $700-billion US bailout scheme will in fact have a significantly remedying effect on the world's financial woes may make some military spending difficult to justify, the defense analysts, from London's International Institute for Strategic Studies, said Tuesday.

"I can't see defense is going to escape any kind of austerity measures," said defense economist Mark Stoker from the London institute, as quoted by Reuters.

"It would be very difficult for any government to justify cutting health and education in favour of, say, building two aircraft carriers and buying a load of planes to stick on them."

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My Comment: This Deutsche-Welle article will be one of many reports advocating the downgrading of European military budgets. But even if the military is eliminated, Europe's budgets are mostly social and welfare expenditures .... not military. This is a red herring that many supporters of government social policy have trouble reconciling.