| Series Title | European Voice |
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| Series Details | Vol.8, No.2, 17.01.02, p4 |
| Publication Date | 17/01/2002 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 17/01/02 GAPS between the strength of EU and US forces 'will grow decisively' after the 11 September attacks, according to a leading defence analyst. In a new study, Kori Schake of the Washington-based National Defence University argues that different priorities exist on both sides of the Atlantic. 'Most European governments do not perceive the same magnitude of new threats or imagine themselves fighting the same kinds of wars that are driving US innovation,' she said. 'Therefore, adapting their militaries to ensure they could win those wars is not a priority. The US is concentrating on high-technology improvements such as striking targets from great distances, integrating air and ground operations and eschewing peacekeeping. The EU is focusing on crisis-management - getting forces into a region in a timely way.' US expenditure on research and development (R&D) in the military field has widened divergences between it and EU member states, Schake maintains. The US now spends over €30,000 on R&D for each of its soldiers, whereas the EU spends €4,500. The US Congressional Budget Office warns that 'a failure by many of NATO's European members to keep up with technological advances could render them incapable of operating alongside US forces in future military conflicts.' Schake contends that if EU governments are serious about 'ending their dependence on the US', raising defence budgets by 10 per year should be possible. A leading defence analyst, Kori Schake, has suggested that the strength of EU and US defence forces will 'grow decisively' in the wake of the US terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 but that different priorities exist on both sides of the Atlantic. |
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| Subject Categories | Security and Defence |
| Countries / Regions | United States |
