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European defence –What the December 2013 European Council should yield
“The Libyan operation revealed a simple fact: Europe does not have the capacity to intervene in its own neighbourhood. Who’s responsible: politicians, generals, the defence industry or the eurocrats? ” asked SDA Director Giles Merritt during his opening remarks of the “European defence: what the December 2013 European Council should yield” debate. Most speakers agreed that any discussion about the state of defence should take note of the persistent financial crisis, crippling European military...

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France to triple force in Central African Republic

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius confirmed on Tuesday 26 November that France will send a thousand extra soldiers to the Central African Republic, Le Monde reported. They will support the Misca, the 3600 men pan-African force already present on the ground. France submitted a resolution to the UN to reinforce Misca with the possibility of transform it into a UN peace-keeping operation. The resolution also asks the member states for a financial effort to support the mission...

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EADS cuts job
EADS Executive President Tom Enders said that “if defence orders are cancelled or reduced as has happened in Germany in recent years, an impact on production and employment cannot be avoided”, Defence Talk reported. EADS is considering cutting its workforce by 20% or 8,000 people according to a report by the German news agency DPA. Enders’ did not confirm the numbers but said that drastic measures are needed. The Eurozone debt crisis is pushing cuts in defence budgets with massive effects on defence manufacturers, he continued...

CHINESE FIRST COMBAT DRONE

China tested its first stealth combat drone, the “sharp sword”, on Friday 22nd November, Defence Talk reported quoting Chinese press agencies. After the first stealth combat aircraft, the J-20, disclosed in early 2011 and the first plane carrier, the Liaoning, revealed last September, China is taking another step in its military build-up.

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TENSION ESCALATE IN EAST CHINA SEA
China attempted to affirm its authority on the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands on Saturday 24th November, The Guardian reported. The Chinese defence ministry revealed a map delimiting the East China Sea air defence identification zone that included the Japanese islands. Aircrafts entering the zone must notify Chinese authorities or they would be subject to emergency military measures. read more

EUROPEAN MISSILE SHIELD: "OBSOLETE" LAVROV SAYS

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared on Monday 25 November that if Iran fulfills its obligations in the recently-signed nuclear deal, the U.S. will no longer have a reason to build a missile defence shield in Europe, RT.com reported. Russia has long protested against the installation of interceptor bases in Poland and Romania. The has U.S. defended these bases saying they would be turned towards Iran rather than Russia.

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SDA new Advisory Board members


Alexander Vershbow Deputy Secretary General NATO				Pierre Vimont Executive Secretary General European External Action Service


Brig. Gen. Ilkka Laitinen Executive Director FRONTEX				Ioan Mircea Pascu Vice Chairman Committee on Foreign Affairs European Parliament

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SDA speakers

The Security & Defence Agenda regularly welcomes high level speakers from the international and national sphere of politics, the military, private sector, civil society, and academia to discuss the issues that shape global security and defence.