Britain and France Unite to Establish European Rapid Deployment Force

Britain and France have made significant progress in setting up an historic Europe-only rapid deployment force, with the UK offering its permanent joint headquarters at Northwood to command future European Union-led military operations. France has offered its Centre Operational Interarmees headquarters, marking a significant shift in their military cooperation. The two nations have also agreed to share resources and establish a logistics agreement to facilitate rapid deployment. The aim is to create a European force of between 50,000 and 60,000 troops that complements Nato and strengthens the transatlantic alliance.

Key Takeaways:

• Britain has offered its permanent joint headquarters at Northwood to command future European Union-led military operations.
• France has offered its Centre Operational Interarmees headquarters, making it a key player in the European rapid deployment force.
• The UK has agreed to contribute headquarters staff to the five-nation Eurocorps, although there is no intention to contribute fighting troops at this stage.
• The European rapid deployment force will not undermine or threaten the transatlantic alliance, with Tony Blair and President Chirac reaffirming their commitment to Nato.
• The two leaders have called on other EU members to agree on a blueprint for a European force at the EU summit in Helsinki next month.
• The EU aims to have the "autonomous capacity to take decisions" on launching military operations, but these decisions will only be made where the alliance as a whole is not engaged.
• Geoff Hoon and Alain Richard have signed a logistics agreement to share "vital resources" and use each other's transport assets to reach crisis spots more rapidly.

Statistics:

• Estimated size of the European rapid deployment force: 50,000 to 60,000 troops.
• Number of countries participating in Eurocorps: Five (France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Luxembourg).
• Number of staff to contribute to Eurocorps headquarters: Undisclosed, with the UK contributing at least some headquarters staff.
• Number of EU members called upon to agree on a blueprint for a European force: All EU members.
• Timing of the EU summit in Helsinki: Next month.

Sources:

• The Times, 1999, Copyright (C) The Times.