Europäische Armee: Kann sich Europa selbst verteidigen? | ARTE Journal

Summary

The video explores Europe's defense capabilities, highlighting the reliance on NATO and the United States for protection. Despite having some military cooperation, such as the German-French brigade and the European Defense Fund, Europe lacks a unified army. The script emphasizes Europe's dependence on U.S. defense systems, military equipment, and strategic command. With limited budgets and fragmented cooperation, European countries struggle to defend themselves independently. The discussion includes the potential of a European army but also points out the political and logistical challenges. Ultimately, Europe's military autonomy remains distant, with NATO still playing a crucial role.

Takeaways

• 😀 Europe’s defense is largely organized by NATO, with powerful anti-missile systems, military forces, and regular patrols over European skies.
• 😀 European military cooperation is largely limited to operations outside Europe, such as in Mali and Somalia, rather than protecting Europe itself.
• 😀 European armies suffer from a lack of funding, equipment, and training, with France, Germany, and the UK all facing significant military challenges.
• 😀 The EU does not have a unified military force, requiring joint strategies, legal frameworks, and funding to create one, which currently does not exist.
• 😀 NATO remains the dominant military force in Europe, with 29 member countries and strong coordination for missions like air patrols over the Baltic States.
• 😀 Despite the EU's involvement in some military operations, European countries remain heavily reliant on the U.S. for operational and logistical support, particularly with 70,000 U.S. soldiers stationed in Europe.
• 😀 European defense spending is dwarfed by U.S. sales of military goods, with the U.S. selling over 62 billion euros of weapons to Europe from 2014-2016.
• 😀 Countries purchasing U.S. weapons, like the F-35, face potential loss of control over their systems due to U.S. management of software and data collection embedded in these systems.
• 😀 President Trump criticizes the EU’s defense spending, urging more contributions to NATO missions, which could increase European dependence on the U.S.
• 😀 There is a growing push for European strategic autonomy, with initiatives like the Future Combat Aircraft System and a European Defense Fund, though these projects face significant challenges and lack political unity.

Q & A

Who is responsible for defending Europe militarily?

The defense of Europe is primarily organized by NATO, with member states contributing to military protection through various means such as anti-missile systems and the mobilization of soldiers.

What is the current state of European military forces?

European military forces are heavily dependent on the funding provided to them, which has generally been decreasing over time. This has led to a lack of equipment, training, and readiness within European armies.

How does NATO affect Europe's military independence?

NATO, led by the United States, has significant control over military decisions and logistics in Europe. This dependence on NATO has made Europe reliant on American military support and decision-making, limiting its independence.

What are the main challenges in establishing a European army?

To establish a European army, there would need to be a shared strategy, legal foundation, and financial commitment among EU countries. Currently, these elements are lacking, preventing the formation of a unified European military force.

What is the role of European military cooperation, such as the German-French brigade?

European military cooperation is focused on supporting foreign missions rather than protecting Europe itself. For example, the German-French brigade and EU military missions primarily aim to stabilize regions like Mali, Somalia, and the Central African Republic.

Why do some European countries continue to support NATO despite the dependency on the U.S.?

Countries like those in Eastern and Northern Europe, as well as the Benelux countries, find NATO advantageous because it provides political influence and simplifies military coordination. The presence of American forces in NATO further supports these countries' security needs.

How does the U.S. influence European military decisions?

The U.S. controls key military systems within NATO, such as missile defense, and has a significant presence in Europe with 70,000 troops stationed in 17 EU countries. Additionally, the U.S. exerts influence over European defense through arms sales and logistical control.

What is the European Defense Fund and how does it contribute to Europe's military autonomy?

The European Defense Fund aims to finance the development and production of military equipment within Europe, helping to reduce reliance on the U.S. for arms. However, its future depends on how much the EU is willing to invest, and it faces external pressure from the U.S.

What are the European industry's efforts toward a more independent defense system?

Europe is pursuing joint defense projects, such as the Future Combat Aircraft System, a new European fighter jet. This project, led by France and Germany, is an effort to develop military capabilities that reduce reliance on foreign suppliers like the U.S.

What challenges are faced with the development of a European fighter jet?

The development of a European fighter jet has faced historical setbacks, including past disagreements among European countries like France, Germany, the UK, and Italy. Despite current cooperation, there are still concerns about unity, with some countries, like the UK, pursuing their own independent projects.