‘OUT OF ITS DEPTH!’ EU Army would STRUGGLE to deal with operations, experts warn

EU defences are facing “extensive capability gaps” over the next decade – and Brexit will make “a bad situation much worse”, the analysis, jointly compiled by UK-based think tank and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Auswartige Politik (DGAP) has claimed. The Protecting Europe report, published today, comes after Mr Macron called for a , and casts doubt on the bloc’s ability to cope once Britain quits on March 29. Researchers compared the EU’s military ambitions with the actual capabilities of its member states by creating various scenarios to which they might need to respond – and found them wanting.

Missions included peace-keeping operations, conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance and rescue and evacuation work.

The report stated: “If up to seven of the smaller operations are combined – which corresponds to the EU level of ambition – the EU 28 is out of its depth. 

“There are extensive capability gaps across all domains and often less than one-third of the force requirement would be met.”

The loss of the , one of the Europe’s most well-equipped military powers ”renders a bad situation much worse”, the report adds.

It explained: “Existing shortfalls would be even more pronounced.

“As of 2018, EU strategic autonomy is limited to the lower end of the operational spectrum. 

“The prospects for significant change are slim over the coming decade based on current government plans.

will make it even more necessary to find a constructive combination of European partnerships and transatlantic engagement.”

The analysis looked at the interventions which could be triggered by the EU’s , based on sources including the EU Global Strategy.

It concludes that short-term operations might be possible when making use of all available assets, but there was a risk of overstitching European armed forces.

Possible problems highlighted include shortages of equipment, supplies, vehicles and personnel.

The report concluded: “As the situation stands in 2018, European Union member states would struggle in significant ways if called upon to meet their agreed military level of ambition under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). 

“Nevertheless, there are initiatives and procurements underway that can mitigate and in some cases eliminate the identified shortfalls, provided the level of ambition remains constant and is not revised upwards.”

Much depends on the EU receiving ongoing cooperation from Britain after Brexit, it stressed.

The concept of a European army, floated once again by the French President earlier this month, has long been a bone of contention between Britain and its allies.

In response to Mr Macron’s remarks, defence secretary last week branded it “an absolutely crazy idea”.

He added: “You can absolutely rest assured that Britain will never become part of a European army on my watch.”