CHRISTINA MACKENZIE / MADRID

In a first step, Spain has asked armaments directors of the 15 European Union member states for comments

A 10-point discussion document for a European arms policy (EAP) is being studied by the national armaments directors of the 15 European Union (EU) member states.

Spain, holder of the revolving six-month EU presidency, has asked for comments before submitting the paper at the EU defence ministers meeting on 22-23 March.

This is a first step towards formulating a European arms policy making the defence industry "subject to the rules of competition and to market regulations", and to make up deficits and shortfalls in defence capabilities highlighted by the EU.

"[Having] no arms policy makes it difficult to fulfil our missions," said Spanish defence minister Fernando Diez Moreno at the interim European Security and Defence Assembly in Madrid last week.

Spain says a method must be found to make up this capability shortfall and distinguish between short-, medium- and long-term needs, and that "maximum harmonisation of operational requirements" should be sought to avoid overlap and duplication.

The document also criticises the financing of weapons systems that are accounted for at full value in the financial year of delivery, with no provision for research and development or life-cycle costs. Spain advocates more imaginative ways of financing procurement.

Moreno says: "In not a few countries, industrial policy is governed by their industrial needs or interests, rather than in the interests of a national or European defence policy. It seems obvious the EAP should be prepared so that it can become an instrument in the service of the [EU's] Common Foreign and Security Policy, and not the other way around."

Moreno adds that a single European arms agency incorporating or recasting defence forums and agencies should be set up "which would save us time, money and inefficiency". Until that is achieved, "progress could be made in setting up European sectoral agencies in, for example, air transport," which would constitute a "weapons pool" allowing countries to share capabilities.

The document suggests the EAP should be based on the principle of voluntary compliance and co-ordination with other organisations, "especially NATO".

The chiefs of staff of the European Air Group inaugurated the European Airlift Co-ordination Cell (EACC) at the Royal Netherlands Air Force base at Eindhoven late last month. The EACC will co-ordinate air transport and air-to-air refuelling among seven air forces. - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK.

Source: Flight International