Since mid-1990s, the capability gap between Europe and the United States became explicit and many in Europe, particularly in France, Britain, Germany and Italy, recognized the necessity to “fill the gap” to be able to make Europe's own decisions. However, because of financial constraints, difference of strategic positioning, and national industrial and technological interests, it was difficult to achieve a consensus among European countries.
However, the industry realised the danger of fragmented national defence market and uncoordinated industrial structure. Thus, large European defence companies, notably those “national champions”, merged and created EADS. The emergence of this large European company was expected to inprove its competitiveness vis-à-vis American industry, but it also threatens small and medium-sized companies in Europe. Also national governments lost their initiatives to negotiate with industry on prices and requirements for their strategic planning. Therefore, it put pressure for European governments to coordinate their R & D and procurement policies for regaining the negotiation power.
This endeavour started outside of the EU policy framework. In 1996, WEU created WEAO for common defence research and development, including non-Member States from Central and Eastern European countries. But larger Member States were not satisfied the arrangement at WEU because it was based on the principle of
juste retour, a deliberate mechanism to support uncompetitive companies in smaller Member States to survive. Thus, France, Germany, Italy and Britain formed OCCAR for common procurement and LoI for rejecting the idea of
juste retour. Also major satellite owner countries formed BOC to increase reconnaissance capability.
On the other hand, within EU framework, there have been several challenges to enhance the policy scope for defence industry issues. Three communications from the Commission in 1996, 1997, 2003 and STAR21 report were clear manifest of Commission's intention to intervene. Also following the establishment of European Rapid Reaction Force, there has been the discussion of European Capability Action Plan, initiated by the Commission, to strengthen European defence technology and industrial capability through EU policy frameworks. Furthermore, among the discussions of European Convention, the creation of European Armaments, Research and Military Capabilities Agency (ARMC) was decided. It was intended to be the centre of defence R & D and procurement issue in Europe, inclusive to all Member States. It was thought that the EU is going to lead the policy for defence industry.
However, the enlargement may cause problems for the process to improve European capability. Not only candidate countries are technologically less developed, but also they may claim their share of industrial return through the principle of
juste retour. This may slow down the process and put negative effect for catching up with US capability.
Thus, it is necessary to introduce the concept of flexible integration. However, current arrangement.for decision-making is based on the “structured cooperation” which excludes Member States without willingness or capacity. This is not an appropriate structure because it would increase the dissatisfaction of smaller Member States including new Members, and it would complicate the decisionmaking process. The important factor is, while larger Member States promote their programmes to increase capability, there should be a system to provide industrial incentives for smaller Member States to satisfy their industrial and technological demands.
抄録全体を表示