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UK and France join forces on combat units
By Judy Dempsey in Brussels and James Blitz in London
Published: February 9 2004 20:20 | Last Updated: February 9 2004 20:20
Britain and France are to take a bold step towards closer defence co-
operation, joining forces to create a string of highly trained, rapid-
deployment units for combat in jungle, desert and mountain operations.
As the leaders of France, Germany and Britain prepare to meet next week in a
three-way summit that could deepen their mutual co-operation, London and
Paris have drawn up detailed plans covering the deployment of Anglo-French
battlegroups.
The ambitious plan, to be unveiled this week, is part of a strategy by France
and Britain to beef up Europe's defence and for the European Union to take on
more responsibility in promoting world stability by preventing atrocities and
separating warring parties.
At next week's trilateral summit in Berlin, Jacques Chirac, French president,
Gerhard Schröder, German chancellor, and Tony Blair, UK prime minister, also
want to explore ways of boosting co-operation on economic reform and asylum
and immigration policy.
The EU originally wanted to create a rapid-reaction force of 60,000, but this
has been scaled back because military capabilities would not stretch to the
soldiers and equipment needed. Nato is also re-assessing the make-up of its
21,000-strong Nato Response Force.
The latest Anglo-French initiative, which will be presented this week to the
European Union's political and security ambassadors, sets out a detailed
agenda and timetable describing how and where the new units will conduct
missions, and at what level they will be trained. London and Paris want the
units to work closely - but not exclusively - with the United Nations.
Depending on the mission, they may have access to Nato resources.
Diplomats on Monday insisted the Anglo-French plan would not compete with
Nato, but could contribute to the alliance's Response Force. The battlegroups
will consist of 1,500 troops, be capable of being deployed within 15 days and
operate under a UN mandate. The missions will last up to 30 days and will
be "appropriate for, but not limited to, use in failed or failing states, (of
which most are in Africa)".
The initiative is open to other EU states. But countries wishing to
join "must show a high degree of interoperability" which means training and
ope rating together.
London and Paris also insist the "overriding" criterion for joining "is
ultimately military effectiveness". The UK and France want the plan accepted
by all member states by June 30 and troops available by 2007.
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