'Strategic Compass': EU considers military doctrine, new tank development

[Klaralven]

By Robin Emmott

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union aims to draw up a master military strategy document to define future threats, goals and ambitions in defence while focusing on six new areas of joint weapons development including tanks, officials and diplomats said.

The EU’s “Strategic Compass”, the closest thing the EU could have to a military doctrine and akin to NATO’s “Strategic Concept” that sets out alliance goals, is the latest step in accelerating efforts to deepen EU defence cooperation.

After four years of hostility towards NATO by U.S. President Donald Trump, the EU, led by France, wants to become a stand-alone military power in the long term, strong enough to fight on its own and potentially a more useful ally to the United States.

The EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, will brief EU foreign ministers by video conference on Thursday on a confidential, intelligence-based threat analysis before EU defence ministers take up the work at a virtual meeting on Friday, aiming to deliver a final document in 2022.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-defence/strategic-compass-eu-considers-military-doctrine-new-tank-development-idUSKBN27Z1JQ

With Britain out, the EU can now begin to develop its own military capability.

[Amishman]

2. Probably a good idea, they need to improve their combined air power as well

The Libya coalition airstrikes exposed the poor readiness of most of the major european powers.

The US is going to have to make some hard budget decisions in the next administration. Military spending will likely need to be dialed back.