Europe is beefing up its defence. 11 operational projects. List and details

(BRUSSELS2) The Administrative Council (the board) of the European Defense Agency - that is to say the 26 Defense Ministers of the European Union - approved a series of concrete projects on Wednesday. A list that could be completed later. Because other projects are still in the cards, for example that on improvised explosive devices (IED), a program that Spain wanted to promote (the change of government apparently prevented an official position).

Not all countries will participate in all projects. Corn " almost all countries have indicated their intention to participate in at least one of the Agency's projects said Claude-France Arnould, Executive Director of the Agency. A project generally brings together 6 to 8 countries. We generally find France and the United Kingdom. But other countries, such as Finland for example, have been very active, showing their interest in several of the projects and taking the "lead" of the maritime surveillance project.

Some of the projects have already started or will be shortly with effects as early as 2012 or 2013. Others are longer term, with preliminary studies and effects by 2020. It can be seen that all of them have a very practical, with a fairly rapid return on investment target, and a more programmatic dimension, to allow rationalization of investments in the future.

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11 programs for the future

1. Helicopter pilot training

A program already started and which "walks the fire of god" an officer would swear. Candidates flock to each session. About 150 crews have already been trained for 3 years through exercises held in several countries (France, Italy, Spain, etc.), specialized courses and experience feedback seminars.

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2. The maritime surveillance network

Project already started, led by Finland. It is a necessary component of recognition ability. The production of a global view of the maritime situation is indeed a key condition both for security around EU countries and in deployed operations. There is also a search for complete synergy between military and civilians. From six countries at the start, the project now includes around fifteen countries (Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom).

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3. Naval training and logistics

 A first study must be carried out quickly (2012) to determine which sharing or pooling initiatives can be taken. All options are open. The simplest would be first of all to have a common calendar, constantly updated, allowing at a glance each of the naval staffs and the EU, to know for certain key resources (tankers, aircraft carriers, etc.), times of availability, training or maintenance recall. And therefore to coordinate these operations, in order to always have a capacity operationally available within the EU. Maritime training is also a mark of interest of several Member States. Some small countries have niche capabilities. And even states that don't have a navy can be interested. Thus, according to our information, Latvia has offered to share its naval diving school with Austria.

4. Deployable Field Hospitals

This is undoubtedly one of the most operational projects in the Agency's panoply. Medical support is a key element for EU operations. We remember that medical support had been a delicate point for the deployment of the last operations, whether in Chad (Eufor) or in Uganda (Eutm Somalia), delaying the launch of the operation by a few weeks. This project is led by Italy with the participation of 11 other States (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia and possibly the Netherlands). It will be based" on a series of modules, interoperable, and compatible with "NATO standards", currently being updated. The objective is to have a deployable Role 2 capability by 2013-2014.

5. In-flight refueling (Air to air refueling)

Kosovo had sketched it, Libya demonstrated it. Air-to-air refueling is a critical point for any operation that requires an air presence. It's about having a unique aerial platform that can refuel fighter planes as well as UAVs. Timing is particularly crucial. We are at the hinge between two waves of equipment. Aircraft serving in the fleet are aging, new ones are on order or on order but have not yet arrived. A clear opportunity to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Europe now has only 42 planes but has 10 different types, while the United States has 650 planes (15 times more!) but only 4 types. The objective is to reduce - thanks to the new equipment - to only 4 types: MRTT 330, A400M, C130J and 767. "If we miss this opportunity" explains a specialist in the file, "we leave for 30-40 years" . In the short term, the objective is also to facilitate support for the existing fleet. France has offered its base at Istres, where part of the logistical support could be provided.

6. Satellite Communications Purchasing Center (ESCPC)

A project that will start immediately as well. Satellite communication (Satcom) is vital for the conduct of operations - C2 command and control - as well as for intelligence and targeting - ISRT intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting. The operation in Libya has shown this sufficiently. The increasingly developed use of drones in the UAV battlefield makes this capability completely mandatory. This pilot project is intended to pool all requests for satellite slots to obtain a reduction from service providers. It is based on the same principle as conventional central purchasing, with an additional obligation: speed of access, security of service. " The military are a "small" buyer in the market where the big consumers are televisions, telecommunications companies... explained to B2, an expert from the Agency. On arrival, it is estimated that the reduction in costs can reach a minimum of 10%. French, British and Polish take part in this project. Astrium was chosen as the broker (wholesale buyer) and will see what is available on the market. 

7. Future military satellite communications system

Same principle as for tanker aircraft. The next generation of military satellites is coming. Today there are five European systems in orbit, several of them have limited coverage and their replacement is planned between 2020 and 2025. The objective is therefore to start the development of the future SatCom generation for after 2020, by determining the capability needs of users in the Member States and the EU, and by preparing the development of appropriate technologies from a civil-military perspective.

8. Intelligence, Reconnaissance, Surveillance (ISR)

 From surveillance to precision targeting, nothing gets done without a high precision ISR system. But this comes at a substantial cost.

9. Pilot training

The training of transport pilots is so specific that few countries have the training center (and simulators - which are expensive - adequate). For lack of a center, several countries send their pilots to the United States, but the places are very limited and the cost more important. This project is "piloted" by France. A first study will be carried out quickly to examine the training to be developed and the conditions for this.

Read also: Pooling and sharing: France offers a school of the future for pilots

10. European Transportation Hub (EATF)

Read also: Signature of the agreement for EATF, the 'Star Alliance' of military transport

11. Smart ammo

Here again, the Libyan experience has shown how valuable so-called "intelligent" ammunition, high precision, laser-guided, which makes it possible to reach its target without collateral damage is valuable. Ammunition that has a certain cost. The use in combat rhythm quickly depletes stocks. Many ammunition systems and storage can quickly become obsolete, both from an operational and safety perspective. In the short term, a study will be launched (2012) and research & technology projects could be initiated with longer term results (2020).