Faced with a multiplication of crises, the European Union wants to get a new rapid intervention military force. A proposal supported by 14 countries will be discussed for the first time on May 6 by the defense ministers in Brussels, a discussion that involves the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, Belga news agency reports.
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Unimog Jacam of the Belgian Special Forces Group (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The European intervention force will be made up of troops and equipment that can be made available to NATO, the United Nations and the European Union. The project is supported by France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Ireland and Slovenia.

This force would involve 5,000 soldiers and should be equipped with transportation means capable of bringing them with their equipment to the theater of intervention. “This is a proposal. Nothing will be decided on Thursday. This will be the first discussion and it will be followed by many others, "insisted one of the European officials questioned about the project.

In November 2020, the 27 EU countries decided to equip themselves with capabilities for action. A reflection called "strategic compass" should enable them to identify their needs, their lacks and the means to reduce their dependence to adapt to the new world order created by the American disengagement, the aggressiveness of Russia, and the difficult relations with Turkey, a NATO member.

NATO has embarked on a similar reflection and wants to be able, by 2030, to deploy 30 mechanized battalions, 30 fighter squadrons and 30 warships in 30 days. "These are separate and independent processes," said the EU official.

Since 2005, the EU has set up "Battlegroups" of 1,500 men capable of carrying out military interventions within the framework of the Common Security and Defense Policy (PESCO). But they were never used for political and financial reasons.