It seems as though they would have a more larger military entity within EU control. I mean if the EU were to draft a mandate that allowed for Parliament and Commission to create a European Union Army, it would be one of the top five largest armies easily surpassing the United States, Russia, and India.The EU Battlegroups are to be the Quick Reaction Forces of the EU. They have to be able to deploy to hotspots up to 6.000 km. from Brussels within 10 days from the time, that the decision is made by the EU.
The plan is, that they are to be in the hotspot to establish peace and security for the population or until a permanent force can be deployed for up to 30 days. The period of deployment can be extended up to 120 days.
Well, in my theory of an EU army Germany and France should have joint responsibility over the deployment and overhaul of a EU army. The British though they are a member, will more than likely not join because in the past have had other conflicts that they want to work out side of a alliance. So I think its more suitable to have the other two European power houses tackle that issue.good in theory
2 much infighting and POLITICS of whos in charge of deployment
if i were a rouge country id be scared of nato,USA,china or russia
NOT the EUnfloorl: nfloorl: nfloorl: nfloorl:
A EU battlegroups will not be for invading any kind of "axis of evil" - countries. They'll be for rapid deployment if a peace support operation is turning bad, for immidiate help if a humanitarian crisis happens somewhere and stuff like that. No invasion ever planned.good in theory
2 much infighting and POLITICS of whos in charge of deployment
if i were a rouge country id be scared of nato,USA,china or russia
NOT the EUnfloorl: nfloorl: nfloorl: nfloorl:
We use peace mission equipment in A-stan?No, they are not for peacekeeping. They join in if a Peace support operation turns "hot", for example. If Taliban decides to kick out european soldiers of A'stan by force, and the soldiers there can't make their own stand due to their Peacemission equipment, then EU battlegroups comes in and helps out.
Well, the one most likely mission - Kosovo turning hot when Albanians unilaterally declare independance later this year - is one that pretty much everyone in the EU can agree on.They may be ready within a short time but how many here believe that there is a united political will in europe to send them into a hot mission so fast (Especially in the biggest EU-member... )?
Duly noted. I ended my post with the main point - Afghanistan is a light inf mission with heavy air support. E.g. the main Danish combat element in Helmand is recce units establishing contact with the Talibs, then blasting them away with air power.Well, the one most likely mission - Kosovo turning hot when Albanians unilaterally declare independance later this year - is one that pretty much everyone in the EU can agree on.
I think Kosovo is really one of the big thing they're eyeing with the battlegroups. And ERRF. And NATO NRF as well.
@ Grand Danois:
For most european nations, what they have in Afghanistan barely rates for anything in light infantry support. At least in the North. The UK, Canada and such in the South are of course adequately backed up for a light infantry deployment.
If the North goes South (sic), all the forces currently placed there would barely rate a single infantry regiment by fire support, general firepower, or mobility.
I've never seen more than four or five different Wiesels at any time in Afghanistan btw. Maybe they have more somewhere, but those 4-5 would rate about what a single light infantry company gets for close support in the Bundeswehr - completely disregarding the indirect fire support they'd also get, but don't have in Afghanistan.