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Political and defence Europe (by Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

AfricaEU Defense (Doctrine)

European battlegroups: missing in (no) action!

(credit: Dutch Ministry of Defence, archives 2006)
(credit: Dutch Ministry of Defence, archives 2006)

(BRUSSELS2) The European tactical groups (GT1500) – also called battlegroups – seem condemned to stay in the garage… Once again! Despite a discussion at the COPS, the Political and Security Committee, there does not seem to be any question, for the moment, of European troops taking off for the Central African Republic. Questioned by several journalists including B2, Catherine Ashton's spokesperson remained very evasive on this possibility. “ There is no concrete proposal as such on the table. These are ideas that are being discussed. »

You're obsessed with battlegroups

« We are studying options to help the international community" indicated the spokesperson, judging that it is not only the option of sending a battlegroup that can be considered. “ You're obsessed with battlegroups he blurted out. Corn " our response is not limited to military aspects alone ". " The European approach is a global approach with funding to help set up the African mission (read: 50 million euros for MISCA) And " humanitarian aid ».

A unanimous decision

« Everything remains open for now. Everything is always on the table » he assured, not hiding however that there was little chance of a decision. “ Any decision on defense policy options is based on a unanimous decision. That's why we're continuing the discussion. »

Comment: everyone passes the buck

In fact, between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, reluctant to send troops on the ground, under the European flag, out of principle or pragmatism, and the penniless Greeks, Romanians and Bulgarians, Europe prefers the notebook strategy. checks to that of the use of force… It must be said that Paris has – it seems – not really requested the intervention of a battlegroup (tactical group). At least, that's what they say in Brussels. Paris refutes this argument but has effectively asked European capitals for different logistical means, knowing from the outset that the battlegroup option appeared to have little support from the EEAS and the permanent member states.

The "hard" option is not popular

European specialists have well prepared, if not a project, at least different options. But at the ambassadorial level, it does not seem that the "hardest" option, sending a battle group, is currently in favour. This option has not really been strongly supported on the European side, knowing that the refusal was in the end... We would rather move towards a second-level intervention: to help with the disarmament, the reintegration of the rebels, or to restructure the Central African army or security forces, once the acute crisis has passed, a bit like what was done for EUTM Somalia or EUTM Mali.

A Europe with weapons at its feet

In fact, if there are a certain number of "good" reasons that oppose or delay the sending of a European battle group, one cannot help but be very perplexed. On the Central African Republic, as for Mali, there is a certain international consensus and an African will. The risk of seeing the country become a failed state and sinking into inextricable civil, ethnic, religious violence is palpable, not to say proven. There is a United Nations resolution authorizing the use of force. All the parameters are therefore met. But, despite everything, Europe remains with weapons at the ready.

A bad sign

Two weeks before a summit devoted to Defense, Europe is sending a bad signal, a sign of extreme weakness. A "power" capable of discussing, financing, battling in diplomatic or commercial corridors, certainly. But incapable, when the time comes, of coming to the aid of a country or a population that can no longer take it, of making a difference by stabilizing a country. The "strategic value" of the battlegroup, of the European rapid reaction force, so highly praised in ministerial meetings, and in which each State prides itself on its participation, is about to shrink, like a speculative bubble. While Europe has (theoretically) nearly a million and a half soldiers under national flags, we will have to ask ourselves at some point what the profitability of this investment is... if we are incapable of sending 1500 men to support an international operation (UN, African Union) in which one of its member States is participating...

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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