A fully equipped defense is no longer solely reserved for Europe’s elite, as many of the Union’s 28 countries are investing in building a defense both nationally and conjointly. Partnerships between European countries in the defense industry, training and operations all seem to have a bright future, and more nations are taking notice.
Today, if the UK, France and Germany remain in the top European military power ranking (1), they aren’t the only countries updating their defense policies in anticipation of tomorrow’s conflicts. Countries are continuously strengthening their fleets, upgrading equipment and investing in their land troops to be prepared for deployment, but many of the considered “smaller players” are entering partnerships with their neighbors, to acquire new equipment, technologies and knowledge of training.
In light of recent ongoing tensions in the region, Poland has been pushing forward with a strategy of renewal. Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak recently addressed the “unprecedented” activity by Russia’s navy and air force in the Baltic Sea region (2). Siemoniak was the main player in the $500 million deal Warsaw recently made with the U.S for 40 joint air-to-surface missiles. These missiles are to be shipped to Poland’s three tactical squadrons of F-16 fighter jets, making this the most modern military equipment the country has ever purchased (3). The order, made in October, is to be delivered next year, with the missiles to be operational in 2017. But in spite of this US-based purchase, Poland also call for help from European countries : thanks to Finnish industry, Poland’s ground forces are getting up to date, with their efficiency extremely well rated among fellow European forces.
Smaller armed forces are also making moves to upgrade and keep up with the larger forces. For instance, Romania’s Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) announced that their Army would dispatch 895 troops to missions and operations outside the Romanian territory next year, while the Interior Ministry will participate with 1,183 men in missions sponsored by NATO, EU, OSCE and the United Nations. “The Council approved beefing up the forces and means of the Romanian Army in 2015,” as reported from a press release. This brings about many recent and ongoing technical improvements and acquisitions made by Bucharest to position itself well among the European defenses. Besides its military collaboration with the U.S., Romania has been developing its ties to partner with countries, such as the UK and France, whether through trade and conjoint troop maneuvers or through practicing with purchased equipment. The EU has provided a frame for these countries to work together in the long term. When an army is purchasing equipment within the Union, it now has to provide them with training and to assist them with the transition.
In many instances, maps of the 28 sovereign states that constitute the Union only depict territories located in and around Europe. For instance, Denmark is typically seen as a small conglomerate of islands surrounded by other EU nations, and therefore not considered to be a big player. When looking at Denmark’s Faeroe Islands and Greenland, as well as its maritime territory, it becomes clear how important the country’s role is in future potential international conflicts. Denmark recently stated its claim of the North Pole to the UN, alongside Russia and Canada. Regardless of the reality of this claim, Denmark is making moves to becoming a larger power, and, on paper, potentially opposing its not too far Russian neighbor.
Denmark has recently demonstrated pro-active European support in the midst of the latest defense related-events. In a joint letter of intent drafted in June of 2014, defense ministers of France and Denmark -Jean-Yves Le Drian and Nicolai Wammen- declared themselves: “Willing to provide impetus and political legitimacy to all kinds of initiatives at all levels aiming at developing and furthering bilateral relations in Defense and security matters, building on existing cooperation and seeking to identify new areas of common action with mutual benefits“, namely interoperability, force projection capabilities, close strategic cooperation, through inclusion in military multinational briefings and “think-tank” activity.
Denmark, as a consequence, offered aid to the French during the Northern Mali conflict, providing them with transportation aircrafts for troops and equipment (4). This bilateral collaboration was well appreciated by the French, whose military lacks capabilities in that domain, and it continues to point to Denmark’s desire to build on a partnership and to work together with Europe’s biggest players. In light of the success of this collaboration between Denmark and France, the two nations are likely to enter into future exchanges for defense technology developments.
What is often called “the Russian threat” is, for Denmark, an opportunity to modernize its military. True that for Denmark’s air fleet, “We’re bound to see more airspace incidents in the Baltic Sea,” says Johannes Nordby, naval commander and analyst at the Danish Defense Academy (5), even though an outrush conflict with any NATO member is unlikely. Nordby continues, “Putin is only putting on a show and doesn’t intend to use force.” The defense speaker for the ruling Social Democrat Party, Ole Haekkerup, recently declared, “there’s no other way but to fly out and face Russian jets whenever they get close to Danish airspace,” and the recent situation in Ukraine is pushing the country to speed up its efforts in marine, air and ground forces’ equipment.
Even two non-NATO members, Finland and Sweden, just agreed to close ties with the North Atlantic Treat Organization, making it easier for their territories to be leveraged by the alliance’s troops.
After the nation’s airspace was entered by unwelcome aircrafts, Finland issued its fighter jets to be on high alert to intercept Russian planes. The country’s military preparedness is improving quickly and is likely to follow in Denmark’s footprints and partnering with other European countries to upgrade their military power.
In the near future, it is likely that more of the 28 European Union nations will be moving closer towards what is seen as a “defense modernization.” Because these countries will have to act serving their own nation, as well as the Union, this may result in increasing dual partnerships between countries providing new technologies and offering opportunities for collaboration on tomorrow’s defense efforts outside of the European Union.
(1) Global Fire Power figures for 2014
(2) On radio Free Europe – Radio Liberty, December 11th 2014
(3) “Poland looks to arm F-16 fleet with missiles under $500 million deal with Lockheed”, Jill R. Aitoro, September 19th 2014, Washington Business Journal
(4) “Danmark sender transportfly ind i kampene i Mali”, Line Prasz, January 14th 2013, politiken.dk
(5) Denmark close to record defense upgrade as Russian threat grows, Peter Levring, September 7th 2014, Bloomberg Business Week