Read more about the article The Evolution of EU Defence Policy: Strategic Compass and Industrial Implications
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The Evolution of EU Defence Policy: Strategic Compass and Industrial Implications

The article examines recent EU defence initiatives aimed at establishing a unified European Military Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). Key measures like the European Defence Investment Programme (EDIP) and European Defence Industry Reinforcement through the Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), spurred by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reflect a shift towards greater EU defence unity and interoperability. Anchored by the 2022 Versailles Summit and the Strategic Compass, these efforts culminated in the 2024 European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS). The article highlights the Compass as a framework for achieving autonomy and interoperability while addressing structural challenges such as fragmented procurement and industry limitations. It also explores the debate over collective borrowing for defence, balancing national interests with EU security needs.

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9 December 2024
Read more about the article From PESCO to EU Battlegroups: Poland’s Role in Advancing EU Land Force Interoperability
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From PESCO to EU Battlegroups: Poland’s Role in Advancing EU Land Force Interoperability

This study investigates Poland’s role in enhancing EU land force interoperability through its participation in the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the EU Battlegroups initiative. Drawing on Poland’s strategic geopolitical position and its leadership in PESCO projects, this paper highlights contributions to mobility, cybersecurity, and rapid response capabilities. Poland’s leadership in EU Battlegroups, including the Visegrád and Weimar groups, underscores its commitment to EU defence frameworks despite operational challenges, such as political discord among allies. Findings reveal Poland’s dual role in bridging EU and NATO defence efforts, emphasising military modernisation and shared standards. This study concludes that Poland’s proactive engagement is vital for advancing European defence capabilities and fostering strategic autonomy in an evolving security landscape.

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25 November 2024
Read more about the article Episode 4: European Deterrence and the Changing U.S. Strategy
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Episode 4: European Deterrence and the Changing U.S. Strategy

In this episode of StrategicALLY, hosts Bori Benedek and Zsigmond Tar sit down with Paul van Hooft, a defence and deterrence expert at RAND Europe, to explore the evolving dynamics of European security. The discussion covers critical topics such as NATO enlargement, European deterrence, and the shifting focus of American foreign policy from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. Mr. van Hooft provides context on the potential implications of a Trump administration on transatlantic relations, the war in Ukraine, and the strategic cohesion of European militaries. Drawing on his extensive research and publications, he discusses Europe’s reliance on the U.S. in key military sectors, the necessity for European fallback options, and the prospects for enhanced EU-NATO collaboration. Packed with expert insights, this episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the future of European defence in an increasingly multipolar world.

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21 November 2024
Read more about the article The Development of AI-Enabled Military Equipment in Ukraine and the Implications for Military Interoperability
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The Development of AI-Enabled Military Equipment in Ukraine and the Implications for Military Interoperability

In the past two and a half years, the Russo-Ukrainian War has uncovered how war on the modern battlefield is no longer exclusively waged on the physical domain, and new capabilities can be leveraged instead of conventional approaches to defence. Armed conflict has expanded to encompass new battlefronts that increasingly depend on the virtual domain (Furlong et al, 2022). Cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping armed conflict, impacting every aspect of warfare from automated frontline systems to logistics, and enhancing multi-domain situational awareness. According to the Land4Developers platform, a marketplace and network of industrial engineering experts from Ukraine, over a dozen Ukrainian companies offer products and services in predictive analytics (Land 4 Developers, 2022). The partnership between tech firms and the Ukrainian military, which allegedly includes having a software engineer within each battalion, is sparking a new wave of development and testing with military AI (Bergengruen, 2024). In resisting Russia’s invasion, the Ukrainian defence proved to be better equipped than anticipated (Furlong et al., 2022). Ukraine’s military performance has offered valuable lessons for both emerging and already established military powers on the benefits of partnering with tech companies to gain quicker access to the latest innovative technologies. Although the Russo-Ukrainian conflict’s outcome is still uncertain, it has highlighted the critical role of public-private partnerships in rapidly advancing military technology. The integration of AI-enabled tools in Ukraine’s defence demonstrates that collaboration between governmental bodies and private tech firms is essential for the swift development and deployment of cutting-edge military technologies. This paper explores how the partnership between the public and private sectors has shaped Ukraine’s defence strategies and examines the implications for enhancing military interoperability across Europe.

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9 August 2024
Read more about the article The Future of European Deterrence: a Three-Pillar Approach for Advancing Capability Development and Interoperability
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The Future of European Deterrence: a Three-Pillar Approach for Advancing Capability Development and Interoperability

On 24 February 2022, when Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe experienced an apparent fog-clearing moment. (Besch & Quencez, 2022). For several years, the European Security debate followed a caricatured binary opposition between the US-led transatlantic security and the need for EU autonomy as a geopolitical power, partly motivated by the notion of an imminent US retreat from Europe (Tocci, 2021). Now, while the war (temporarily) restored general confidence in American commitment to European security, it also revealed how dependent European states are on the US for their defence (Puglierin, 2024). As a result, after more than two years of conflict, the subjects of the binary intellectual confrontation have emerged with more defined roles: NATO has reaffirmed its prerogative in conventional deterrence, while the EU has given proof of its crisis management abilities, primarily through financial tools (Weber, 2023). Accepting the transatlantic partnership as the sole and definitive European deterrence strategy is imprudent and short-sighted. The US’ shifting priorities and waning leadership require Europe to decide on a path forward to more strategic responsibility. Among the priorities, an increased commitment to NATO is imperative – especially with a Republican in the White House. At the same time, efforts must be made to reconsider the US national commitment and investments in European deterrence, as well as the role of the EU and its initiatives.

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24 July 2024