After a gestation period of some 40 years, the European Force is beginning to take shape. At the summit of Santa Maria de Feira (Portugal), in June 2000, the necessary steps for the establishment of a European military structure were confirmed. It is intended to be a rapid reaction force, an Army Corps composed of 60,000 men and women, backed up by air support (500 combat and transport planes) and naval support (50 warships comprising aircraft carriers and units for amphibian operations). The rapid reaction force is intended for long-term operations in theatres of crisis even far removed from Europe. The new force is scheduled to become fully operational by 2003 and is inspired by the K For deployed by NATO in Kossovo. The experience amassed in peace-keeping, and sometimes in peace-enforcing operations in recent years, has made it necessary to have at ready disposal a force of at least 180,000 men to be deployed in three four-month shifts in the area of operations. Italy’s contribution to the European force will be 20,000 men, like that of France; a higher contingent than of Great Britain (19,000), Germany (17,000) and Holland (9,000). It will comprise structures of command, four brigades and regiments of logistic, helicopter, medical and engineering support… From these forces the EU, to which all competencies in matters of defence and security will be devolved by 2001, will select the units most suitable for the type of operation in question. Up to a maximum of 13,000 Italian troops will be involved at any one time and relieved every three to four months. Xavier Solana, EU foreign policy and security supremo, called it “a Corps separable but not separate from NATO”. The two military entities thus seem to be destined to cooperate closely together, although Europe will be, for the first time, able to operate militarily in an independent capacity. Italy currently spends (figure for 2000) 1,45% of GDP on defence, with a per capita annual expenditure of 370,000 lire (Source: Public Information Agency of the Army High Command). d.r.
