Originally Posted by
Tedc
->
Further to my earlier post:-
"FAQ | European joint defence force
Why an EU army?
The structural integration of the European Union’s armed forces has been a long-standing strategic ambition of the EU, with the latest initiative being based on the 2009 Lisbon Treaty.
Why not sooner?
The United Kingdom, Europe’s pre-eminent military power, blocked this, fearing the creation of a Europe-wide army. However, post-Brexit we have no say in the matter and the EU has pushed ahead with plans.
A resurgent Russia and the election of Donald Trump, on a platform attacking Nato, may have lent a sense of urgency to the process. The Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) was initiated in 2017.
Which countries would be involved?
The UK is exempted, Denmark and Malta have opted out. All 25 other European Union members are committed. Initial plans envisaged countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland creating permanent military structures to act on behalf of the EU and for the deployment of the EU's battle groups and 18 national battalions. It could also comprise an EU military planning and operations headquarters in Brussels that would parallel Nato.
What stage is it at?
Initial plans to try and boost EU defence spending, and save money by pooling resources, include exempting defence equipment manufacturers from paying VAT, and applying EU research grants to the sector.
Anything else?
Pesco has the backing of Nato. However, France and Germany currently disagree on the project’s ultimate goal.
France would like a tightly-integrated military force, ready to rapidly intervene in global trouble spots. Germany wants a broad coalition across all EU member states, building defensive unity against potential attack."