The Dilemma of Smaller European Nations: Rethinking Future Military Cooperation and Capability Development
Abstract
The European Union is progressing towards further integration and enlargement. The European Security and Defense Policy is a tool for harmonizing the foreign and security policies of the member states and thereby increasing the European defense capabilities. Implementation of the European Security Strategy calls for Europe to take shared responsibility for the global security threats. Future military capabilities to counter the security threats require further transformation of the European armed forces into more flexible, mobile forces. Accomplishing such transformation calls for multinational cooperation and specialization. Defining needs at the EU level will harmonize capability requirements. Smaller member states, due to their limited force structures are the first to face the hard decisions to commit themselves into collective security and defense arrangements. Permanent structured cooperation should aim towards joint, interoperable and modular based forces. This will require thorough multinational military integration. Conclusion: The European integrated force architecture represents a realistic and relevant military alternative for the EU and thus the guideline for smaller member states role and future capability development. Smaller European member states future military capability development should aim towards developing niche capabilities in the framework of the EU based on permanent structured cooperation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA504731
Entities
People
- Bjornar Lunde
Organizations
- Marine Corps University