Brussels, 27/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Union should invest more in maritime transport and heavy-lift helicopters to overcome its strategic transport shortcomings. Such was the advice given to the European Parliament's sub-committee on defence and security by Nick Witney, Director General of the European Defence Agency (EDA). During this exchange of views last Thursday, Mr Witney also gave details of three of the Agency's projects for the first half of 2006. Everyone knows that the EU does not have sufficient strategic transport capabilities, he said, adding that airlift capacity is limited and road transport takes far too long. Given these failings, the EU should think of an alternative solution: maritime transport. The EDA will be working on this, Mr Witney said, pointing out that the EU should also contemplate developing heavy-lift helicopter technology. For troop deployment or for use in emergency situations, heavy-lift helicopters are needed but the EU does not have enough, he said, explaining to MEPs that “it would therefore be a good investment”. He believes it would be talking sense to call on the EU, which has the capacity and the need, to develop investment in this field. The EU is also lacking communication and intelligence capabilities, recalled the EDA Director, who is working on two fronts: communication on the ground and satellite communications. During the first half of 2006, in parallel with these long-term projects, the EDA will be focusing on: 1) the defence procurement market. Member States are expected to confirm by 7 April whether or not they intend to take part in setting up a code of best practice for liberalising the EU defence procurement market as of 1 July; 2) defining the capabilities needed in the run-up to 2025 by determining demographic trends, the funds to be allocated to defence spending and the kinds of operation that will be conducted. A seminar will be held in June to take stock of the situation; 3) reflection on improving the EU's military capabilities through research and technology by getting down to the task, as EU defence ministers had recommended in Innsbruck, of creating a European fund for defence research and the development of a pilot project on force protection (see EUROPE 9146).
Nick Witney also called on Member States to reflect on how defence budgets should be spent. At present, over 50% is spent on personnel, which, in his view, is too much. What is needed, he explained, is investment to make up an industrial base. One should ask oneself whether one really needs two million soldiers within the EU, he concluded.