European Union

Plenary sessions : From a debate on Brexit negotiations to refugee relocation and the situation in Hungary: read our overview of this week's plenary session.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

On June 8 the new European Tactical Airlift Centre (ETAC) will be officially opened by Head of the EDA, High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini and Minister of Defence of Spain Dolores de Cospedal. ETAC represents one of the largest transfers of a project, created and developed by the EDA, to one of its Member States on a permanent basis. 

Zaragoza will officially become the home of the European Air Transport Fleet (EAFT) Programme on June 8th in a ceremony marking the transfer of this project from the EDA to Spain. Created in 2011 by EDA, and signed by 20 participating nations, the EATF partnership aims to increase the EU’s airlift capabilities by addressing shortages and increasing interoperability. The establishment of a permanent multinational airlift training centre (ETAC) marks a major step forward in European defence collaboration in the critical capability domain of tactical airlift. 
 

An EDA first: Joint Deployment of EAATTC 17-3 and 3D Printing Lab 

The third European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course for 2017 (EAATTC 17-3), hosted by the Spanish Airforce at Zaragoza airbase will run from 28 May to 9 June 2017. This edition of EAATTC gathers five aircraft from four different countries (Belgium: C130; Germany: C160; Poland C130 and Spain: C295 and C130). This training aims to provide air transport crews with a robust airlift tactics training syllabus in order to enhance interoperability between European air forces. The graduation ceremony for participating aircrew will take place as part of the opening of the ETAC on June 8 2017.

As part of EDA’s approach to explore new avenues for defence cooperation and enabling technologies, its innovative project on 3D printing in defence will be deployed as part of EAATTC 17-3. The project, officially titled “Additive Manufacturing Feasibility Study & Technology Demonstration”, aims to assess the areas where Additive Manufacturing (AM) (3D printing)  can have a positive impact on defence capabilities and to demonstrate its feasibility. 

The second work strand of this project is a technology demonstration of AM in a simulated deployment scenario. Its aim is to demonstrate the feasibility and operational utility of deploying these technologies in support of a military operation. The deployment of the 3D printing lab represents a significant step in bridging the data gap on 3D printer performance in deployed conditions and will demonstrate the operational utility of these technologies. 

First of all the lab will be deployed on a test flight to examine its feasibility to be deployed by air. During the exercise the lab technicians will interact with the officials deployed at EAATTC 17-3, presenting the possibilities offered by the equipment, and identifying in a close dialogue with them what are the main needs in an operation that could be fulfilled with an AM facility. Together, the technicians the officials will select a number of different test parts to be produced on site and on demand, with different grades of complexity. 

The project represents a clear example of how cross-fertilization of ideas from different domains, from R&T to operations, will enhance defence capabilities, especially when supporting deployed missions. The overall study has the objective of raising awareness in the defence community and of promoting a better understanding of the potential held by these technologies, thereby stimulating their implementation in defence specific areas.
 

Media Day – June 8
Members of the media can avail of a special one day media flight from Brussels to Zaragoza airbase (kindly provided by the Belgian Ministry of Defence) for the opening of ETAC. All details can be found here.

On June 8 EDA will be live from Zaragoza airbase for special coverage of the opening of ETAC. 

Throughout the day we will be bringing you live updates on twitter of the opening ceremony, graduation of aircrews, interviews and visits to the 3D printing lab. Visit our twitter page (@EUDefenceAgency) and get involved using #EUdefence.
 

More information:

• EDA consultation to identify impact of 3D-printing technologies in defence
• EDA letter - support to Additive Manufacturing feasibility study & technology demonstration
• EDA news on the AM kick-off meeting (December 2016)

   

Plenary sessions : Only a political process led by the different Syrian groups and supported by the UN could end a war in Syria and the EU should take a more active role.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : EU countries must fulfil their obligations to take in asylum-seekers from Greece and Italy, giving priority to unaccompanied minors, said Parliament on Thursday.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : Chechen authorities must end the persecution of gay men and an investigation must be held as a matter of urgency, MEPs said on Thursday.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : The construction and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank must stop to allow prospects for a viable two-state solution, urge MEPs.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : Parliament has given the Culture committee a mandate to begin talks with the Council on a new directive on audiovisual media, which will include online platforms.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : EU citizens with subscriptions for online films and TV will soon be able to access their content while temporarily in another EU country.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : Financial solidarity contributions by Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to the European Economic Area and fisheries trade deals with Norway and Iceland were backed by MEPs on Thursday.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : The European Parliament expresses concern about arrests of opposition leaders in Zambia and Ethiopia and calls for an end to the war in South Sudan, in three resolutions voted on Thursday.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : MEPs welcomed the unity of the 27 Member States and the EU institutions with regard to Brexit and also called for a reform of the EU to benefit all its citizens.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : MEPs have approved new rules that will allow users to enjoy their online film subscriptions when travelling in the EU the same way they do at home.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : “A strong and united Europe is an absolutely fundamental pillar of a strong and effective United Nations," said António Guterres, addressing MEPs in Strasbourg on 17 May. The Portueguese UN Secretary-General, the first European one since Austria’s Kurt Waldheim in the early 1980s, said global challenges such as the multiplication of conflicts, a human rights violations, climate change and globalisation required the EU and the UN to work together.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : MEPs objected on Wednesday to EU Commission plans to authorise imports of products made from genetically modified maize and cotton which are herbicide-resistant.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : MEPs again reject as inadequate by 392 votes to 80, with 207 abstentions, a narrow list of countries at risk of money laundering.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Tag: aircraft carrierChina

Suite à une conférence qui s’est tenue à Varsovie le 23 mars 2017 intitulée „Intégration européenne - nouvelle ouverture” organisée par l’Institut des Affaires Internationales de la Pologne (PISM) et la Chancellerie de Premier Ministre de la Pologne (Kancelaria Prezesa Rady Ministrów) l’auteur souhaite présenter la voix de la Pologne dans la discussion autour de l’Europe.

La conférence était organisée à l’occasion de célébrer la soixante anniversaire de la signature des Traités de Rome.
Selon Beata Szydło, la Première ministre polonaise l’Europe d’aujourd’hui se trouve devant les quatre questions majeurs:
1. l’avenir de l’Europe est mise en question;
2. les crises en UE - la crise en zone euro et le Brexit ;
3. la crise migratoire;
4. le terrorisme (les nombreux attaques terroristes dans les capitales européennes).

Face à ces problèmes qui mettent en doute l’idée de l’intégration européenne celle de Jean Monnet et de Robert Schuman il faut souligner deux règles qui sont des fondements de l’UE: l’unité et la solidarité.
Par ailleurs, le gouvernement polonais se prononce contre „une Europe à multiples vitesses” on y voyant une force qui désintègre l’Europe de l’intérieur. La Pologne est pour plus de compétences attribuées aux parlementaires nationaux, pour une „solidarité élastique” et pour „une Union des Nations”.
„D’ores et déjà la Pologne constitue une partie intégrale de l’Union européenne” constate Beata Szydło.

Comment les dirigeants polonais voient la sortie de l’Union européenne de la crise actuelle?

Le 1er mars 2017 la Commission européenne publie un Livre Blanc qui désigne le besoin des réformes.
Les dangers les plus importants qui touchent actuellement la coopération européenne sont:
- les migrations;
- le marché commun est en crise;
- les dangers extérieurs.
Cette besoin de changements\réformes devrait venir de la volonté des citoyens européens. Ceux derniers démontrent de plus en plus souvent le manque de confiance aux élites politiques au pouvoir (et réciproquement - d’où la peur devant les électeurs). Les citoyens européens ont peur de perdre leurs sécurité:
- la sécurité économique (face à la crise économique montante de la zone euro);
- la sécurité vitale, celle de tous les jours (face à la crise migratoire et au terrorisme montant sur leur territoire).

Ici, il convient de souligner qu’une renaissance de partage Est/Ouest revient en Europe. Malheureusement, l’idée d’une Europe à plusieurs vitesses peut mener à des nouveaux partages stéréotypes en Europe, à la création des cercles intérieures d’intégration et à la création une „avant-garde d’intégration où les pays les plus forts domineront. Ainsi, une sorte de frustration est dirigée vers les pays de l’Est et leurs voisins. D’où vient encore une fois cette besoin de réformes qui est sans doute dans l’intérêt de toute l’Europe.
Andrzej Duda, le président polonais postule les priorités suivants:
- l’unité : les quatre unités européens - le droit, les institutions, le budget, le marché commun;
- la liberté : les quatre libertés : la libre circulation des biens, des capitaux, des services et des personnes.

En conclusion, les priorités de la Pologne dans le cadre de l’intégration européenne future sont suivants:
• plus de réactivité de L’UE (L’Union doit être plus réactive car souvent elle semble n’est pas prête de faire face aux problèmes qui apparaissent. Pourtant, elle est soumise aux processus globaux.);
• l’intégration élastique (pas de création de l’hiérarchie des forums d’intégration;
• question de libertés;
• l’intégration euro-atlantique;
• l’idée de „Trois-Mers” (Trójmorza) les mers: Adriatique, Baltique et Noire;
• plus de démocratie;
• une communauté des valeurs;
• l’élargissement de l’intégration européenne.

L’Europe face aux défis de la sécurité globale. L’Europe une forteresse ou un empire?

L’Europe d’aujourd’hui se retrouve confrontée aux défis suivants:
- le terrorisme;
- les conflits militaires;
- les empires extérieurs;
- le progrès technologique;
- l’impérialisme russe;
- la pression démographique - les migrations.

Aujourd’hui dans l’époque postatlantique, les dangers sont perçus des différentes manières - car les intérêts des États membres sont différents. Pourtant, face aux défis du monde de la globalisation, il est nécessaire qu’UE devient plus réactionnelle. Elle perds son attractivité et devient une institution qui se retire, se défend. De plus, elle constitue un obstacle pour elle même en approfondissant ses crises. La crise touche non seulement le continent européen mais aussi d’autres régions dans le monde entier. Tandis que l’Amérique mène une politique d’influences à l’extérieur, l’Europe prend une position défensive.
Pourtant, comme soulignait Fernand Braudel l’Europe constitue une Civilisation et les européens possèdent une Histoire plus longue.

écrit par dr Kinga Torbicka, chercheuse associée de l`Institut Europa Varietas

Tag: VarsovieKinga Torbicka

La politique européenne de sécurité et de défense commune : "Parce que l'Europe vaut bien une défense"
par André Dumoulin et Nicolas Gros-Verheyde
Editions du Villard (3 avril 2017)

Pour tout comprendre à l’Europe de la défense, il y a enfin une solution. Un manuel complet sur la « politique européenne de sécurité et de défense commune », le premier d’une longue série, publié aux éditions du Villard.

Une vraie « bible » sur l’Europe de la défense

C’est une première car il n’existe aujourd’hui, aucun ouvrage en français, à jour, faisant le tour de toutes les questions que pose l’Europe de la Défense, de façon claire et pédagogique. Ce qu’on appelle la « Politique européenne de sécurité et de défense commune » (PSDC) reste encore un no man’s land, bourré de fantasmes et largement méconnu.

Une politique encore méconnue

Née dans les Balkans, cette politique européenne devenue commune a évolué par à-coups. Certains la rêvent comme une « armée européenne » ou une alternative à l’OTAN. D’autres vilipendent sa faiblesse ou sa lenteur. La PESD devenue PSDC n’a ni ces ambitions ni ces tares. Au contraire ! Et elle recèle des avantages, mal connus. C’est tout l’enjeu de cet ouvrage : savoir comment fonctionne réellement l’Europe de la Défense.

Un ouvrage à quatre mains

Cet ouvrage est rédigé à quatre mains, par un universitaire et un journaliste, qui ont allié leur commune expertise : André Dumoulin (chargé de cours à l’université de Liège et professeur à l’Institut royal militaire – belge) et Nicolas Gros-Verheyde (rédacteur en chef de B2, ancien auditeur à l’IHEDN, correspondant de Sud-Ouest auprès de l’UE et de l’OTAN). Le premier apporte le recul historique pour comprendre, le second donne une mise en relief de l’actualité.

En savoir plus

Tag: PSDCAndré DumoulinNicolas Gros-Verheyde

From 3 to 14 April 2017 in the Western Mediterranean, 1 000 French soldiers participate in SKRENVIL operational training. This joint exercise between the French Army and the Navy is designed to ensure amphibious deployment procedures. As part of this operational training, an amphibious group is deployed in the Mediterranean. It is composed of the Dixmude (Projection and Command Ship,BPC), Cassard (Antiaircraft Frigate, FAA), Montcalm (Anti-submarine Frigate, FASM) and the Mediterranean demining group (GPD Med). Command Landing Group / CLG is provided at the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2nd REI).

A Joint Battle Group (GTIA) of the 6th Light Armored Brigade composed of different units of the 2th REI, 1st REG (Foreign Regiment of Engineers), 1st REC (Foreign Cavalry Regiment), 3rd RAMa (Marine Artillery Regiment) of the 5th RHC (Combat Helicopter Regiment), is created for the occasion. The major equipment involved is 15 VBCI (Armored Infantry Combat Vehicle) and a dozen VAB (Front Armored Vehicle), as well as 4 Puma and Gazelle helicopters.

The amphibious detachment boarded the Diksmuide with its 2 Equipment Chalands (CTM) and a Rapid Amphibious Landing Craft (EDAR).
This training consists of two phases:
- evacuation of nationals,
- followed by a grounding of the GTIA.
In total, some 20 vehicles, maneuver helicopters and attack helicopters will have to land in a coordinated way to make a progression of about 30 kilometers.

This training is characterized by a suitable training ground, the realism of the scenario, the means and the military capabilities. These are all specific features that allow the Army and the Navy to maneuver jointly and to be sufficiently reactive in the event of an amphibious operation.

CERPESC European Solutions for Defence & Crisis Management //--> Tag: SKRENVIL-2017

29 March 1967: 50 years ago, Le Redoutable, first French SSBN to ensure the permanence of nuclear deterrence, was launched in the presence of General de Gaulle in France, single autonomous nuclear military power in Europe. Nuclear deterrence is designed to protect people against any aggression of state origin against our vital interests, wherever it may come from and whatever form it may take. Strictly defensive, its use is conceivable only in extreme circumstances of self-defense.

Following the Second World War, France, wants to make nuclear the keystone of the energy and strategic independence of the country. In 1958, the French military nuclear program was formalized by General de Gaulle. By mastering this technology France ensures a place alongside the American and Soviet superpowers. In the 1960s, it was decided to equip the navy with a nuclear launching submarine. On March 29, 1967, Le Redoutable was launched ..

A step is taken. But that activity still to be deployed before the presentation to the tests planned for 1969! The outer shells and thick shells are finished, but the access chambers, flaps of the torpedo tubes, the hydroreactors intended to stabilize the SNLE during the firing of the missiles must be mounted and the breach of the machined reactor compartment.

The gateway, the platforms and the incorporated boxes are installed at 90%. But the partitions are installed only 70% and the carlingages, the crossings of hull, the definitive ballasting to 35%. As for the sailing shelter with its ailerons, too high, it can not be mounted before the launch. For the propulsion, tank, exchangers and pressurizers were embarked, the primary circuit was tried, but clutch, turbo-reducer group, condensers and cradles of the turbo-generator group are being lineed. The main cable layers have been fitted, but the circuit-breaker cabinets are just embedded.

This launch seems modest at a time when the US nuclear submarine fleet is hosting its 41st SSBN and the Soviet fleet already has twenty such units. But with the completion in May of the construction of the Pierrelatte isotope separation plant, which is essential for the enriched uranium of the reactors, and the continuation of the experiments to reach the H-bomb, a major step is taken. "An additional and costly illustration of a ruinous, dangerous and inefficient military policy", according to L'Humanité, or "a capital day for our navy, our defense and, hence, our independence", according to General Le Redoutable does not leave indifferent.

Source

Tag: SSBNLe RedoutableFrance