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Wednesday 27 August 2008

SDA Policy Spotlight - Azerbaijan's view of the security situation in the Southern Caucasus

 

The event, which took place on May 27, 2008, comprised a keynote address by Araz Azimov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, followed by a question and answer session.

Insights included:

  • Azerbaijan and Brussels have a mutual interest in increased dialogue.
  • The EU’s approach to the Southern Caucasus is still being tested.
  • Azerbaijan has a key role to play in European energy security.
  • The merits of missile defence and NATO and EU expansion in the Southern Caucasus are open to question.

June 2008

SDA

European Security Review - No. 38 (May 2008)

June 2008

ISIS Europe

The outlook for security and defence technologies

 

 

The event focused on current developments in the field of security and defence technology including transatlantic interoperability, funding and civ-mil cooperation.

Insights included:

  • The European Defence Agency (EDA) is working to form a common set of R&T priorities for Member States.
  • European radio spectrums must be harmonised to ensure emergency first-responders have adequate access to communications technology.
  • EU-NATO cooperation within the realm of defence technology must be improved.

June 2008

SDA

EU-US defence cooperation

On 14 April, the Security & Defence Agenda together with the Atlantic Council of the United States organised a transatlantic roundtable on the question of EU-US defence cooperation. With two panels and 14 high-level speakers both in Brussels and in Washington, the debate proved to be highly fruitful and a start for more transatlantic dialogue on this subject.

Central elements of the discussions where:

§    The prospects for a permanent structured cooperation within the European Security and Defence Policy;
§    The importance of the EADS tanker deal for future defence cooperation;
§    Questions of interoperability and NATO-EU relations.

 

June 2008

SDA

Revisiting NATO-ESDP relations - SDA Discussion Paper 2008 (Part II)

April 2008

SDA

On the eve of Bucharest

 

Romania will be hosting the next NATO Summit in Bucharest on 2-4 April this year. On 12 March the Security & Defence Agenda hosted Romania’s Ambassador to NATO Sorin Dumitru Ducaru, US Ambassador to NATO Victoria Nuland and Belgium’s Ambassador to NATO Baron Frans van Daele.

NATO countries will be deciding whether to admit Croatia, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the club but a dispute over the latter changing its name is threatening to spoil the party. Moreover, the NATO Ambassadors discussed whether NATO should give Ukraine and Georgia Membership Action Plans, plus Afghanistan, Kosovo, missile shield plans, cyber defence and energy security in a debate full of interesting insights.

April 2008

SDA

Assessing the cyber security threat - Roundtable Report


Estonian Minister of Defence,
Jaak Aaviksoo

Following a fascinating debate that ranged from bullet-proof hosting to onion-routing, the conclusion had to be that the cyber security threat was evolving rapidly and was touching all aspects of society. Its political importance is also increasing and in a cyber society that “has no rules or borders, according to Estonia’s Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo, there is a need for improved coordination at the highest level.

March 2008

SDA

Revisiting NATO-ESDP relations - SDA Discussion Paper 2008 (Part 1)

The SDA has published the first in a two part discussion paper looking at the state of NATO-ESDP relations.

It includes contributions from Daniel Korski of the European Council on Foreign Relations in London, Ilana Bet-El, a security and defence expert and writer in Brussels, Lt. Gen. David Leaky of the EU Military staff in Brussels, Ambassador Stewart Eldon of the United Kingdom’s Delegation to NATO and Ana Gomes, a Portuguese MEP in the European Parliament.

Part two will be released in early April.

March 2008

SDA

European Security Review No. 37 (March 2008)

March 2008

ISIS Europe

What is the EU's report card on pandemic preparedness?

The debate started as usual, when SDA Director Giles Merritt posited the question “What is the EU’s report card on pandemic preparedness?” The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s Angus Nicoll launched the debate with a positive point, referring to the EU and its Member States’ growing coordination and communication to pandemic preparation in Luxembourg last year and that the three upcoming EU presidencies would keep pandemic preparedness on their agendas. DG SANCO’s Andrzej Rys alluded to the Commission’s publication of the Green Paper on bio-preparedness and the establishment of the new Health Security Committee as signs that the Commission is taking pandemic threats very seriously.

 

February 2008

SDA

What future for a European disaster relief force?


SDA Roundtable

Adriano Martins of the European Agency for Reconstruction advocated success in his organisation’s operations, most notably in the Balkans. International Crisis Group’s Alain Délétroz made a case that the EU should be developing its own capacities, via the ESDP, eluding to a permanent civ-mil response HQ in Brussels. Giuliano Porcelli of the Council of the EU, envisioned the tangible improvements in the EU’s operational capabilities for responding to international disasters, vis-à-vis a Lisbon Reform Treaty ratification, that would streamline decision-making when time matters most.

January 2008

SDA

'Applying lessons from Afghanistan: Actions and outcomes' - Press Dinner with SACEUR Gen. John Craddok


SACEUR General John Craddock

In his opening remarks, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Craddock likened the roadmap for Afghanistan to the complexity of the rules of cricket for American football fans. Although a humorous comment, his point was clear - Afghanistan is an “extraordinary and very complex situation” in which the international community “cannot fail”.

December 2007

SDA

Shaping Europe's Defence Debate

 

This study has been prepared by the Security & Defence Agenda for the French Ministry of Defence. It looks at the quality of debate amongst defence and security experts of the future course of the ESDP (European Security and Defence Policy) in Brussels and concludes with recommendations on how French thinking might play a more influential role in the developing Brussels-based debate.

November 2007

SDA

The questionmarks over Europe's maritime security


A roundtable participant

This SDA roundtable examined maritime security and found that the EU had much work to do. The sessions showed that ensuring maritime security necessitated the coordination of disparate bodies, including customs, navies, coastguard agencies, border police and more. Although many speakers called for more coordination, there was disagreement as to how this could be achieved.

November 2007

SDA

Speech by Franco Frattini at the SDA's "Defining a European Security Strategy" Conference


Franco Frattini

  

October 2007

Franco Frattini

Speech by Gunter Verheugen at the SDA's "Defining a European Security Strategy" Conference


Gunter Verheugen

  

October 2007

Gunter Verheugen

1325 EU Partnership Launch

October 2007

ISIS Europe

European Security Review No. 35

October 2007

ISIS Europe

Lunch Debate with Général Henri Bentégeat


Général Henri Bentégeat, Giles Merritt and Karl von Wogau

Inevitably, the SDA’s lunchtime debate on the EU’s Military Rapid Response was dominated by questions concerning the (in) compatibility between that initiative and NATO’s own venture. The majority of questions were not of a negative nature, as they delved into the detail as to how the two organisations could work effectively to meet existing challenges. Speaking frankly, General Bentégeat outlined the history of the EU’s Battlegroups, the challenges they were facing – in Brussels, in the Member States and in the field – and the new thinking concerning the EU’s ability to provide a comprehensive response to a crisis (civilian and military / the addition of sea and air support).

September 2007

SDA

NATO & ESDP: Forging New Links


Secretary of State for Defence,
Desmond Browne

 NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, opened the conference by calling for greater co-operation between NATO members, especially on civil-military missions. He also focussed on the need to implement the “comprehensive approach” needed in Afghanistan. But de Hoop Scheffer also insisted that NATO is not a development organisation and can only create the environment in which reconstruction and development is possible, leaving it to other international organisations to re-build the country. This led the Secretary General to call for NATO and the EU to “redouble their efforts at forging a true strategic partnership”.

July 2007

SDA

Security Sector Reform: private-public priorities

 
Anna Leander, Alex Martin, Alex Bryden and Sir Tom Duggin

Seldom has an SDA debate thrown up so many concerns, and delivered so few answers. With the focus on Security Sector Reform (SSR), it became apparent that no widely accepted definition existed. Furthermore, it was not clear who the customers were and, therefore not surprisingly, no strategic plan had been developed to guide its implementation. Finally, on the public-private side, there were many concerns raised about the involvement of private security companies (PSCs).

April 2007

SDA

What are NATO's next steps on missile defence?

 
Jana Hybaskova, Edgar Buckley
and Norman Ray

Although the latest SDA roundtable looked at two issues – Theatre Missile Defence (TMD) and Territorial Missile Defence – the debate that flowed around them soon became one and the same. Several speakers argued they could not be separated, while others said that a focus on the defence of populations (Territorial Missile Defence) would dilute the current TMD programme.

March 2007

SDA

The EU's Africa Strategy: 'What are the lessons of the Congo Mission?'


Jean de Ponton d'Amécourt and
Gen. Christian Damay

This discussion paper is intended to offer a snapshot of the EU's latest military mission to Congo DRC and aslo aims to clarify thinking on the future development of the ESDP in Africa. A small group of acknowledged experts share their thoughts on the Africa dimension of ESDP. It also includes the report of the evening debate of 7 March between speakers who had been closely involved in the decision-making and then the command of the latest military operation.

March 2007

SDA

Cutting through the Transatlantic Tangle of Defence Equipment Export Controls

 
Bill Giles, BAE Systems and
Michel Troubetzkoy, EADS

There was hardly any room for optimism at the end of the latest SDA roundtable on export controls. One firm conclusion was that there had been a lack of progress – in industry’s eyes - on both sides of the Atlantic. In Europe in particular, the chances for a unified export control rulebook seemed as far away as ever. Within the EU, there was no agreement on whether a community solution was required or whether it should be left to the six arms manufacturing Member States to drive reform of exports controls in the defence market. Over in the United States, there was said to be widespread industry agreement that ITAR was broken, but the internal political scene meant that no action was likely in the immediate or medium-term future.

January 2007

SDA

Is the EU prepared for a pandemic flu?

The event launched the debate on EU Preparedness for a pandemic flu. Speakers discussed the need to prepare for pandemics – and bioterrorist attacks - at all levels: international, national, regional and local. At the end of the debate, it was clear that a certain amount of consensus had been reached on how to best prepare Europe for a pandemic influenza. Several things were clear:

  • Sharing is key; information, expertise and best practices all need to be pooled
  • Central coordination is ideal
  • Funding is inadequate, with few EU Member States willing to contribute to a central fund
  • Vaccine development and deployment are critical
  • Local delivery of vaccines is still a problem


From the European Commission, DG SANCO’s Robert Madelin argued that business continuity was the key, with the impact of a pandemic making it an issue that went far beyond the realms of healthcare. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s Angus Nicoll described Europe as being much more prepared than in 2005, though everyone agreed that more work needs to be done.

December 2006

SDA

The Private Security Phenomenon: Policy Implications and Issues

At the end of an enlightening debate on the private security phenomenon, there was clear agreement that further regulation of the sector was required. With a scope that was seen to include security sector reform (SSR), disarmament, demobilisation & reintegration (DDR), the administration of voter registration programmes, static guarding of critical infrastructure, monitoring activities, police training, assistance in prison services, peace negotiating, protection of senior figures, protection of humanitarian aid workers and airport security – at Baghdad airport – that was no surprise. No agreement was forthcoming, however, on the type of regulation that was required. Options under discussion included EU-wide or global legislation, national regulations that centred on the main protagonists – the US, UK and South African companies – and self-regulation. The EU, with the Council’s Director General, DG for External and Politico-Military Affairs, Robert Cooper, leading the way, favoured a set of international standards but actions from the Commission were seen to be several years away.

December 2006

SDA

What prospects for a single European defence and security market?

Speaking at the latest SDA Dinner, EU Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry Günter Verheugen placed cooperation at the top of his priority list. All of the major players had to work together if Europe was to develop a defence and security culture, and thereby guarantee the protection of the EU’s borders and critical infrastructure. At the same event, Dr. Thomas Diehl, CEO of the Diehl Stiftung, said industry was ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. To do this, however, he wanted a level-playing field for the EU’s defence and security companies, internally and externally. Regarding the internal level playing field, intra-EU export regulations and offsets were addressed.

December 2006

SDA

Challenges for the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base

The event launched the debate on the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). Speakers discussed why the EDTIB is needed for ESDP to be effective, what industrial capacities will be needed in the future, the particular characteristics of the defence sector, and the importance of security of supply and industrial sustainability.

Nick Witney, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency acted as a moderator and the high-level panellists included Seppo Kääriäinen, Minister of Defence, Finland, Christian Schmidt, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Defence, Germany, Radoslaw Sikorski, Minister of Defence, Poland, Günter Verheugen, Vice-President and Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, European Commission and Charles Edelstenne, Chairman of AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association in Europe (ASD).

 

Once the panellists had had their say, it was clear that a certain amount of consensus had been reached on how the European defence industry, or rather the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), could be revitalised.

 

Several things were clear:

  • An increase in effective research spending was essential
  • The approach to rationalise the EDTIB had to be long-term and strategic
  • Cooperation, not replication, was seen to be the way forward
  • SMEs’ expertise had to be promoted
  • Centres of excellence should play a pivotal role in any plan.

November 2006

SDA

Global NATO: Overdue or Overstretch?

The conference took place on 6 November 2006 and focused, in advance of the NATO Riga Summit, on the expectations of NATO in terms of partnerships and on policy regarding Afghanistan. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, opened the conference by highlighting six priorities: improving capabilities, burden-sharing, coordination with other actors, developing partnerships, enhancing political dialogue and cooperation between NATO and the EU. He concluded there should be no ‘beauty contest’ between the two institutions and offered Afghanistan, where much of the work is of civilian nature, as an example of where the EU can help. The Secretary General added that NATO has never been in as much demand as today: it is not a global NATO, but a NATO responding to global threats.

November 2006

SDA

Is Europe serious about Space and Security?

Commissioner Günter Verheugen had no doubt that space is a strategic asset. In the 21st century, information is the key and diplomacy will never provide all of the answers. In terms of facing the many security threats, space could play an increasingly important role. The Commissioner was strongly supported by the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain, who said he could not understand why the link between space and security is still being debated. Elsewhere it is a done deal and for most significant space powers, security is the main driver for space, as highlighted by the new US National Space Policy.

October 2006

SDA

Defending Europe's vulnerable infrastructure

The European Commission has been active since the SDA’s last debate on critical infrastructure protection in 2005. Following an extensive consultation process, it has issued a comprehensive Green Paper, emphasising public-private cooperation and the protection of all sectors against all hazards and will release a Policy Package this November. Giving a keynote address, President Putin’s Special Representative for international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and transnational organised crime, Anatoly Safonov, outlined the global dimension that Russia was bringing to the security dialogue as part of its G8 Presidency. UNECE’s Miodrag Pesut called for a global cross-sector approach that brought together all of the major players. Several speakers listed examples of the lack of international cooperation, especially between the public and private sectors. Perhaps the most telling point describing current cooperation came from HP’s John P. Smith, who referred to US government projects that had an average time span of 11 years, while his organisation aimed to produce new products every 9-18 months. The Commission’s Tjien Khoen Liem, Policy Officer for Preparatory Action for Security Research, stated that cooperation had to go beyond the exchange of best practices - all speakers supported that view.

October 2006

SDA

Europe's Long-Term Vision on the defence environment: sharp or fuzzy?

On June 13, 2006, European Defence Agency Chief Executive Nick Witney and Security & Defence Agenda Director Giles Merritt co-chaired an expert level seminar focussing on the nature and the drivers shaping the future military environment. The meeting came at a time as the EDA is undertaking detailed analysis, using a range of conceptual approaches, aimed at developing an initial long-term vision for European capability and capacity needs. Experts examined questions arising from consideration of European internal and global security in the coming decades. Major factors influencing future capability needs identified include continued EU geographical proximity to sources of instability, new military and technological challenges, greater EU Member State cooperation, global economic, demographic and political change, civil-military co-operation and a further shift towards crisis prevention and management.

June 2006

SDA

Protecting Europe

The SDA conference attracted an audience of some three hundred government, EU and NATO officials, industry leaders, Members of the European Parliament, journalists and think tank experts. Speaking at the conference, European Commissioners Franco Frattini and Benita Ferrero-Waldner both called for a more comprehensive approach to EU security, underlining the need for effective cooperation between public and private efforts. Industry leaders called for more public-private partnerships to be involved in the provision of security solutions. The conference took place on the day of the ruling by the European Court of Justice that the EU-US agreement on passenger data transfers was illegal, which inevitably stirred discussion during the transatlantic satellite session with Washington DC. But speakers on both sides of the Atlantic seemed to agree that while EU and US narratives may differ, shared values remain at the core of the relationship, so it is security cooperation that must be strengthened.

May 2006

SDA

The Issues Shaping Asian Security

By focusing on Asian security, the SDA’s Roundtable reflected the region’s growing importance. Speakers from Pakistan, South Korea, India, Afghanistan and China described an area that was teeming with major issues – nuclear proliferation, poverty, human rights, democracy, terrorism, health concerns, energy consumption, etc. It was similar to other parts of the globe, except that in Asia’s case, the issues were all major and coming to the boil at the same time. As it was, China received the most attention. On the issue of democracy, the China Institute for International Studies’ Ruan Zongze argued that China was not opposed to the philosophy but that in a diversified world, different formats of political systems could exist. The Commission’s Henriette Geiger gave an EU perspective, saying that China would remain inward-looking and that growing social imbalances if not properly addressed could have serious security implications. India’s EU Deputy Chief of Mission Ashok Sajjanhar wanted a stronger and more relevant UN as well as a successful Doha Round. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the EU, H.E. Saeed Khalid offered his country’s assistance in the nuclear dispute with Iran and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Victor Seleznev wanted a cooperative security system for the whole region with equal rights for all participants.

April 2006

SDA

Borders & People: the liberty and security balance

Among many questions posed, the latest SDA session asked one that dwarfed all the others: did the EU have an efficient and integrated border management framework? According to MEP Karl von Wogau, the answer was a resounding no! Giving an impressive overview of requirements, the parliamentarian said he wanted one-stop borders with commonality of systems and equipment, and an efficient exchange of information and intelligence. With the added complexity of the enlarged EU, a situation that was ongoing, von Wogau reasoned that integrated border management had to be part of the EU’s neighbourhood policy. Frontex’s Executive Director Brig. Gen. Ilkka Laitinen heartily concurred with that view, stressing that the need for a European strategy for border security is obvious. That filled a hole in the EU’s strategy as von Wogau had mentioned that Solana’s paper had paid insufficient attention to homeland security.

April 2006

SDA

Charting the Developments and Uses of Network Centric Capabilites

At the latest SDA roundtable, there was general agreement that network centric capabilities would define the future of the defence industries on both sides of the Atlantic. However, the key word there was “future”. With such capabilities still in their infancy, it became apparent that – despite repeated requests from industry – a coordinated European approach did not exist. As SDA Director Giles Merritt noted, network centric capabilities seemed to be still in the Middle Ages and the route towards an Age of Enlightenment was not clearly lit. Ericsson Microwave Systems’ Svante Bergh wanted clear leadership from the EU, someone to act as a symbol for the development of these new and important technologies.

 
The German Armed Forces Command and General Staff College’s Colonel Ralph Thiele noted that the US had developed a long-term plan towards network centric capabilities that covered the period 2001to 2016. That was perhaps too theoretical a timeframe for Europe, given that this was an area where technology was changing on an almost daily basis. As Thiele said, he who had the technology led the race … and a race it certainly was. Swedish Armed Forces former Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Johan Kihl even suggested that a certain amount of risk-taking might be allowed, even to the extent of deciding who joined the network centric club (or clubs). That was an unlikely scenario, especially if the politicians were calling the shots.

February 2006

SDA

Is a transatlantic defence industry increasingly on the cards?

Setting the scene, CSIS’s Pierre Chao explained that although figures could be used to prove anything, it was a fact that Europe’s direct sales accounted for less than 1% of the total US defence market. Taking an optimistic spin, he said the trend was in the right direction over the past few years, primarily as an increased focus on “systems of systems” meant the origin of all components was less relevant. This meant there would be an element of natural growth for European suppliers. The US presidential helicopter contract was used as an example of successful transatlantic cooperation by Lockheed Martin’s Scott Harris and Finmeccanica’sAlberto de Benedictis. Harris explained that Lockheed Martin had been familiar with the chosen platform and had backed it by its own knowledge of the US market. Alberto de Benedictis had seen a level playing field and argued that the best platform had won. Thales’ Edgar Buckley saw too much regulation on both sides of the Atlantic, while the US Mission to the EU’s Michael Ryan said impediments (on the US side) were due to a lack of agreement on the threat.

January 2006

SDA

Utility of Force book presentation and debate

At the outset of his presentation of his new book “The Utility of Force: the Art of War in the Modern World”,General Sir Rupert Smith called for fundamental changes in the way modern warfare is approached. General Smith argued that adversaries were now “of and amongst the people”. It was no longer a case of defending territory, the goal was now to defend a way of life. Wars had to be conducted differently, with the desired outcome being defined ahead of any campaign – force alone would never be sufficient.Expounding on the ideas set out in his book, Smith argued that today’s institutions were not suited to manage the types of holistic campaigns essential in the 21st century. General Smith concluded that the EU had the most potential to conduct such operations; while it carried no baggage from previous wars, it had an impressive “portfolio of power”. Dr. Javier Solana, the EU’s High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, welcomed the content of the book and the debate it would set out. The importance of the book was the manner in which it conceptualised ideas that had been around for a period, while at the same time bringing some new ideas. It was a book to help us understand how to do politics right.

January 2006

SDA

NATO: An Alliance for Freedom

Fundación para el análisis y los studios sociales (FAES) recently launched their new report 'NATO: An Alliance for Freedom' in Brussels at an event co-organised by the NDA. The report argues that NATO is at a crossroads. It may choose the path of continuity, risking becoming marginal to the security needs of its members, or, alternatively, as argued in this report, it could walk the path of strategic change. It is FAES's belief that NATO should take an ambitious jump if the organisation wants to play a central role in strenthening the security of its members.

 

November 2005

FAES

Placing Terrorism at the top of NATO's reform agenda

Launching Fundación para el Análisis y los Estudios Sociales’s recent report NATO: An Alliance for Freedom, Former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar spoke of a global war against Islamic terrorists that could either end in victory or defeat. Focusing on this new existentialist threat, he called for a bold transformation of NATO that emphasised collective defence and made homeland security the Alliance’s major objective. While welcoming its previous expansions, Aznar argued for a change in direction that would open the Alliance’s doors to Japan, Australia, Israel and even Latin American countries such as Colombia. The FAES President admitted that not everyone would agree with the report’s findings. During the debate, he found a measure of support from the panel, but criticism came from the floor of a packed house. Moderating, NATO Review Editor Christopher Bennett remained firmly in control of the proceedings. While describing the report as “strategic”, he reasoned that something was missing and worked with the panel to find additional ingredients.

November 2005

NDA

Closing Ranks: The future of European defence

The latest of the Bibliothèque Solvay’s debates, held under the auspices of the Fondation Robert Schuman, the New Defence Agenda, Friends of Europe, and the Hans Seidel Stiftung, looked at the future of the European defence policy. Based on the level of agreement reached by the main speakers, Javier Solana, Michele Alliot-Marie and John Reid, that future is extremely promising. The only hint of disagreement came when, rather like Banquo’s ghost, the spectre of the Constitution arrived. High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana saw the EU caught in a vicious circle, where it could only become efficient (and take rapid decisions) if it changed its structure, and it could not make those changes without first convincing the public that it was an efficient body. He wanted an EU that acted quickly, one that was far removed from a Union that took decisions at monthly meetings. French Minister of Defence Michèle Alliot-Marie was not concerned that the lack of a Constitution would prove to be harmful to the ESDP, as she sensed that the EU-25 wanted progress on defence. British Secretary of State for Defence John Reid was not anti-Europe but he was anti-Constitution. Reid doubted that the 25 member states had the sufficient will to reduce the amount of bureaucracy in the EU. The Constitution might help but it would not solve all the problems.

November 2005

NDA

Tracking European Space Policies - Have we got the civil - military balance right?

After a wide-ranging debate on European space policies, it was clear that overall requirements need to be defined and that space was receiving inadequate funding. It was anyone’s guess as to which came first. Almost all the panellists called for a clearer requirements definition to be produced on European level and by the member states. The ESA’s Gerhard Brauer wanted these to be harmonised, or even better, common. The EU Satellite Centre’s Frank Asbeck offered the EU the possibility of developing “geographic information systems” that would incorporate network-centric techniques and the option of having another force multiplier on board. NDA Director Giles Merritt added that the existence of a coherent space policy could be seen a quick fix to reduce the growing gap between US and European capabilities. The ESA’s Michel Praet estimated that this gap in expenditure was in the region of 30:1.

October 2005

NDA

CSIS Report: European Defense Integration

October 2005

CSIS - Julianne Smith and Michele Flournoy

European Defence Integration: Bridging the Gap between Strategy and Capabilities

The New Defence Agenda is proud to present this report from the CSIS-NDA joint conference of the launch of the CSIS report “European Defence Integration: Bridging the Gap between Strategy and Capabilities.” A high-level cross section of 200 security and defence experts gathered in Brussels on October 12, 2005 to debate the transformation of European defence capabilities, the needs of the European Defence Agency in order to improve R&T development, and NATO and EU roles in defence integration. The CSIS report is an important contribution to the major project that is European defence integration and the NDA looks forward to working with CSIS in the future as the debate continues to evolve.

October 2005

SDA & CSIS

The outlook for global defence industrial partnerships

Speaking at this New Defence Agenda (NDA) press dinner, Robert J. Stevens, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin, gave his audience a comprehensive overview of the prospects for global defence partnerships and his thoughts on the future of the industry. Stevens emphasised how Europe and Brussels had become crucial to a global company like Lockheed Martin. He highlighted that transatlantic collaboration European and American companies working together in a global defence and security marketplace - was important given the advantages of such a collaboration (delivering value to taxpayers, assembling a comprehensive portfolio of capabilities, etc.) Lockheed Martin, a key player in the marketplace, is committed to making transatlantic partnerships work. As concrete examples of successes, Stevens listed the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) and the 101 “presidential helicopter”. Programmes like these had demonstrated that a two-way flow of technology exists, that the market was in opposition to protectionism, and that constraints had to be removed while ensuring national security concerns were protected. Network centricity and a wider spectrum of security tools, not only military, would provide response capabilities for the future and enhance cooperation. 

September 2005

NDA

Strategic Priorities for protecting Europe's critical infrastructure against terrorism

The last NDA roundtable before the summer break examined Europe’s plans to counter terrorist attacks on its critical infrastructure. Ten days after this NDA Roundtable on the vulnerability of critical infrastructures to terrorist attack, London's transport system was hit by four near-simultaneous bomb attacks. The London death toll, at just over 50, was mercifully low in comparison to Madrid's loss of almost 200 people in the Atocha railway station bombings of March 2004, to say nothing of New York's 9/11 casualty list of about 100 times as many deaths. But if London underlined the importance of chance in determining the loss of life, the bombings there have also given fresh impetus to efforts to better coordinate national counter-terrorism measures.   

June 2005

NDA