Robin Emmott

BRUSSELS (Reuters), -The European Union plans to establish a force multinational of up to 5,000 troops in 2025, to assist in a wide range of emergencies and not rely on the United States. This is according to a draft plan.

According to the 28-page confidential document dated Nov. 9, which was seen by Reuters, the “EU Rapid Deployment Capacity” should consist of air, land and sea components. They could all be swapped out depending on crisis.

The EU’s foreign and defense ministers started debating this plan Monday night in Brussels. They continued to discuss it Tuesday with the goal of settling on a final document for March next year.

Slovenian President of the EU stated to reporters that his government had responded positively, while noting the divide between EU members focused on Russia as well as those who are worried about instability and terror on its southern flank.

“First impressions are very good. Matej Tonin from Slovenia, the defense minister said: “Of course we need to fine tune.”

Twenty-two years after EU leaders had first committed to establishing a force of 50,000 to 60,000 troops, but did not make the force operational, Josep Borrell’s draft strategy is now the strongest attempt by the bloc to build a military force independent from the United States.

The draft is called the “Strategic Compass” and it states that “we need to be more robust, rapid, and flexible in order to complete the full range military crisis management tasks.”

The draft stated that “We must be able respond to imminent threats” and could quickly react in crisis situations, such as a rescue mission or stabilisation operation within hostile environments.

JOINT MILITARY PROJECTS

While not all EU countries would be required to participate, approval for any deployment will require consensus.

The EU’s Strategic Compass could be considered a close cousin to NATO’s Strategic Concept, which sets forth alliance goals. Borrell asks EU members to make a commitment to providing strategic enablers and associated assets to the EU.

It means building the logistical, long-range air transport, and command and controlling capabilities that the United States has relied upon by NATO’s allies.

Borrell stated that there are now nearly 60 EU joint military projects, including weapons and capabilities. He added this after several others were approved Tuesday.

United States President Joe Biden said that such actions would complement NATO and urged Europeans not to put off investing in troops. Although the EU maintains battlegroups with 1,500 troops, they are not being used despite attempts to send them to Chad and Libya.

A breakup of battlegroups could enable them to be more mobile and flexible.

Modules will allow us to adapt our forces to meet the needs of crisis. “This is essential if you want to overcome obstacles that have been faced in the past,” said the draft strategic planning.