Rethinking European Military Engagements Abroad - The Strategic Trajectories of the United Kingdom, France and Germany

Authors:

  • Emma Sjökvist
  • Eva Hagström Frisell

Publish date: 2023-06-15

Report number: FOI-R--5464--SE

Pages: 59

Written in: English

Keywords:

  • United Kingdom
  • UK
  • France
  • Germany
  • deterrence and defence
  • crisis management
  • security cooperation
  • EU
  • NATO
  • Indo-Pacific
  • international military engagements

Abstract

In a rapidly changing European security context, European states are re-evaluating their security and defence policies. This study examines the strategic shift that is taking place among the three major European powers - the UK, France and Germany (the E3) - and how they view different types of international military engagements in the changing strategic environment. All three countries are undergoing a strategic transition away from crisis management towards deterrence and defence as the main tasks of their armed forces. The new strategic trajectories entail a shift in priority towards deterrence and defence in Europe, alongside a strengthened military presence in the Indo-Pacific. At the same time, growing attention to increasing instability in Europe's eastern and southern neighbourhoods as well as geopolitical positioning means that crisis management and security cooperation will continue to be important for the E3. Smaller European countries can therefore continue to expect requests for participation in crisis management operations and security cooperation activities, alongside deterrence and defence efforts.