Seven projects are currently on the table to reinforce the capabilities of European armies. These may seem technical as regards the proposed European army wanted by some, vilified by others. Nonetheless, they reflect real needs, both on the industrial and operational level (for operations in Chad, Georgia, and Somalia, for example). The stakes are clear: EU member states must be equipped with certain means which match the ambitions they show in terms of foreign policy and crisis management.

STRATEGIC TRANSPORT

The proposed European Air Transport Fleet (EATF) aims to constitute, around the Airbus A400M, a fleet of common planes, allowing certain joint costs to be shared (maintenance, for example). Two complementary options have been conceived: constituting a multinational unit of planes made available by member states possessing A400Ms; and a provision in flight hours provided by member states possessing A400Ms (arrangements to be defined).

An initial core of proactive states could create a multinational unit, proposing degrees of cooperation adapted to the needs of other member states, which would like to acquire aircraft without developing complete organisation (maintenance, upkeep) or simply benefit from a service, like a client.

Several countries (Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Romania, Spain and Portugal) “have spoken out in favour of the proposal” based on the future A400M, either through the transfer of flight hours or the creation of a multinational unit.

TACTICAL TRANSPORT

The Franco-British initiative aims to upgrade helicopters – and crews (through training) – which are not suitable for use in foreign operations, for example in mountainous areas (Afghanistan), deserts (Chad) or at sea (Somalia). This initiative is original in its institutional make-up and its functioning. It is the European Defence Agency (EDA) which is responsible for listing the needs and offers of each. A trust fund, put in place at SHAPE, within NATO, has received contributions from the UK (€7.3 million), France (€5 million), Denmark (€2 million), Luxembourg (€500,000), and Finland (€500,000, a sum that will be doubled, according to Helsinki). Lithuania could participate. Several countries – the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Hungary in particular – have stated that they want to upgrade their helicopters.

Another proposal, more long term, aims to develop a heavy helicopter project, capable of overcoming the European lack compared to the American Chinook CH47 or the Russian Mi26.

AERONAVAL COOPERATION

It is not a question of creating a European aeronaval group, but of developing interoperability of European aeronaval means, so that they can be available during the operation. This aeronaval capacity will be based around aircraft carriers, fighter planes and attack or rescue helicopters able to be boarded, all accompanied by surface vessels (frigates) or submarines, with protection (equipped with cruise missiles), and tanker aircraft (Boeing C135 type). The initiative firstly aims to ensure certain tasks preliminary to engagement: joint training, harmonisation of upkeep programmes and units’ activity and exchange of good practices. The first practical applications are expected for early 2009. Around the four EU member states which have aircraft carriers (France, UK, Italy and Spain), other member states – like Germany – could also hitch a ride, which have additional vessels (frigates, submarines, boats and tanker aircraft). The military operation in Somalia against the pirates could constitute a first full-size test for this initiative.

SPACE OBSERVATION

In the event of a crisis, space information is essential to be able to react quickly to the reality of the situation. “Recent military operations have, however, proved that our information capacities, in particular space information, are insufficient,” say EU defence experts. Two initiatives are therefore underway. One aims to increase military sources of information from the EU satellite centre in Torrejon (Spain) with the transfer of images from the French Helios system, the German SAR system and the Italian Cosmo-Skymed system. The other intends to develop member states’ space capacity around a multinational new generation system (MUSIS). The project already involves six member states (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Greece and Spain) and others could join (Poland). The European Defence Agency must receive, by the end of the year, a precise mandate for the “search for synergy in the field of civilian space activities," particularly for the launch of the study on the “ground segment”.

MARITIME MINE CLEARING

The objective is to launch, in 2009, in the framework of the EDA, preliminary work for the cooperation project. Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland and Italy support this project and aim to clear their seas of mines which hold in their depths many unexploded bombs, particularly from the Second World War. The Baltic Sea and the North Sea are particularly affected. Furthermore, existing maritime mine clearing capacities must be replaced between 2015 and 2020.

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

Research and technology (R&T) capacities remain low. The French EU Presidency wants to open a debate on the funding arrangements of defence R&T, put in place a joint agenda which synchronises efforts and determine the balance to be found between the operational budget and the ad hoc projects within the EDA. A reflection, necessary before the adoption by the governing body of the EDA, on 10 November, of a 'European strategy for defence R&T', will involve action in two fields:

- Drones: the EDA is carrying out a project on navigability and ad hoc projects could be developed like the one proposed by Sweden (MIDCAS)

- Communications by radio: One of the key points during foreign operations, by continuing the Essor project, France proposed a new project called CORASMA (Cognitive Radio for Dynamic Spectrum Management).

INDUSTRIAL RAPPROCHEMENT

Between the Organisation for Joint Armaments Cooperation (OCCAR), created in 1998 by the main European countries of NATO (France, Germany, Italy, UK, later joined by Belgium and Spain) and the EDA, there is an effort to be made “to streamline and optimise” the system for cooperation programmes. Put clearly, duplicates must be avoided and tasks must be distributed: in the EDA, to prepare cooperation programmes; in the OCCAR, to follow them up and manage them. OCCAR would therefore become the 'natural organisation' for carrying out cooperation programmes, without exclusivity and completely voluntarily. Any EU member state would therefore have the right to participate in the projects managed by OCCAR. The full agreement will be signed on 10 November.