EU military capabilities still depend on UK, French co-operation

Any moves to enhance European military capacity requires co-operation between France and the UK, according to a report published on Wednesday, despite the ambitions of some leaders to develop a strategy to orchestrate autonomous EU operations.

A three-year investigation by the International Institute for Strategic Studies argues that of the European Union member states' 2 million active personnel, only some 2.7 percent are sufficiently equipped and trained to meet the demands of current and expected overseas deployment.

The report, European Military Capabilities, argues that the future will see ever greater demands put on the various European forces - not large-scale wars, but growing number of targeted actions. The EU collectively spent €204 billion on its militaries in 2006, notes the report, but this has delivered a glut of infantry soldiers, while soldiers with more specialised skills are lacking.

The report also argues that there is too much overlap as countries devote monies to domestic firms producing military equipment, while research and development does not receive an adequate provision of funds.

Ahead of France taking over the helm of the European Union's six-month rotating presidency, President Nicolas Sarkozy announced his ambitions for a substantial beefing up of Europe's military capacity. He wants the EU to be able to simultaneously deploy 60,000 troops.

The IISS report however says that any such expansion remains dependent on Franco-British military co-operation. France and the UK are the bloc's most significant military spenders.

"It's notable that Britain has given a general welcome to Sarkozy's approach," said the group's editorial director, Alexander Nicoll, "and that the United States now argues that the world needs a stronger Europe, with a strong European Security and Defence Policy."

Last week, the UK's foreign secretary, David Miliband, gave a speech to the British parliament in support of French plans for EU military capabilities, arguing that increased military co-operation at the European level does not undermine NATO.

Mr Miliband said, in speech responding to the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland last month, that EU military operations can be one of three main areas - alongside dealing with economic and environmental concerns - that should make up the substance of what the union can deliver to its citizens. The British foreign secretary also welcomed Mr Sarkozy's plans to have France rejoin NATO's integrated military command.

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