What is the EU Joint Military Strategy?

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As the EU aspires to enhance its defense and lessen its dependence on NATO and the US, a European army is gaining popularity. Concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a possible shift in U.S. foreign policy, especially with Donald Trump expected to run again, have increased this interest.

Angela Merkel proposed the idea of a European army in a speech to the European Parliament on November 13, 2018. During her address in Strasbourg, she supported the concept as part of a broader vision for a stronger, more united Europe. This proposal echoed similar ideas put forth by French President Emmanuel Macron, who had advocated for a "true European army" a few days prior. Merkel argued that a European army would complement NATO, not replace it, and emphasized that such an initiative would enable Europe to take more responsibility for its own security and defense. Her proposal highlighted a growing sentiment within the EU that Europe needed greater autonomy in defense matters, especially in response to changing global alliances and shifts in U.S. foreign policy at the time.

Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel have both called for increased European military integration. Merkel believed the EU needs more military autonomy because it cannot always rely on external partners. Macron agreed, asking on Europe to be ready to defend itself without NATO, especially after recent U.S. administrations withdrew from global commitments.

The European Union (EU) still lacks an independent military for several complex reasons, despite calls from leaders like Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron in 2018. These challenges stem from political, logistical, financial, and strategic issues, which together make forming a unified European military extremely challenging.

Due to concerns about national sovereignty, many EU member states are hesitant to hand up their defense to a centralized European force. Defense policy is considered essential to national sovereignty, and countries have different security priorities. Eastern European nations like Poland and the Baltic states emphasize NATO and the U.S. alliance to resist Russia, while others may have distinct regional priorities.

NATO has been Europe's primary security and defense alliance since 1949, with the U.S. as its most influential member. Given its finances, military capabilities, and geopolitical reach, NATO is the best option to secure Europe, according to several EU countries. A separate EU military may be unnecessary or damaging to the transatlantic relationship.

Member States' Security Priorities Vary

A unified EU military is difficult to coordinate due to varied security considerations. For example, - Eastern European nations prioritize Russian aggression and support strong NATO relations.

- Mediterranean nations prioritize migration and stability in North Africa.

- Some Western European governments prioritize cybersecurity and counterterrorism.

- Diverse priorities make it hard to agree on defense goals and threats.

To establish an independent European military, significant financial investment is needed to establish shared resources, infrastructure, command structures, and technology. European countries with budget constraints are hesitant to divert cash from domestic priorities to an EU military. Aligning procurement and equipment standards across nations is complicated and expensive.

Due to legal and administrative complexity, the EU does not currently support a comprehensive military alliance. NATO's Article 5 mandates collective defense, whereas EU treaties emphasize security and defense cooperation rather than a mutual defense clause for all members. PESCO and the European Defense Fund are EU defense initiatives, however they are not enough for a completely independent military.

The EU prioritizes "strategic autonomy" over military independence. Strategic autonomy intends to allow the EU to conduct crisis management and stability missions without replacing NATO. PESCO and EI2 strive to improve collaboration and interoperability without confronting NATO.

Internal Political Divisions – Not all EU countries support a European army. France and Germany are vocal supporters, while Denmark and certain Eastern European nations remain dubious. Political factions in friendly nations may dispute on the extent, structure, and need for a European military.

Conclusion

These multiple impediments make an EU military a long-term goal. The EU is expanding security and defense capabilities in joint operations, cybersecurity, and crisis response to increase strategic autonomy without becoming an autonomous military.

In the mean time, the EU has been undertaking joint military exercises like LIVEX in Spain to implement these principles. At this EU Crisis Management Military Exercise (MILEX), amphibious and air troops from numerous EU member states participated. The exercise promotes EU autonomy and its objective of a deployable armed force by 2025.

While support for an EU army develops, fiscal restrictions and political disputes among member states pose hurdles. Some EU members worry about NATO duplication or the possibility of fully integrated European military capabilities. However, EU leaders are considering a European Security Council and streamlined decision-making to strengthen Europe's collective defense.

The idea (or dream) of an autonomous European Union armed force is likely to become a reality anytime the European Union (EU) once in a while has the opportunity to use a single strategy language.

(This essay was written by conducting research on a wide variety of articles from reputable journalists and publications. )