Quote:
Originally Posted by Mick
NEW: Brussels sticks it’s head above the parapet: European Council President, Charles Michel: “The #AUKUS security partnership further demonstrates the need for a common EU approach in a region of strategic interest.
A strong EU Indo-Pacific strategy is needed more than ever.
I welcome today’s presentation of @JosepBorrellF strategy
On the agenda of the October #EUCO”
|
I really have no idea how they plan to do anything meaningful in strategic security terms. China’s attempt to annexe great swathes of the South China Sea as its own territorial waters is the major issue in that part of the world. While anyone with a frigate can perform freedom of navigation patrols in the area, only doing so with a significant show of strength is worth the effort. That means you need a carrier group, which we have (but only just). France has a carrier but is certainly no more capable of supporting a full strike group on a world cruise than we are. It might be able to muster the support of the Dutch or the Italians to sail with it but is it seriously going to put that sort of mission under an EU flag, with EU operational oversight? France loves EU integration to the extent it benefits the French. It can talk about a common military security policy but all it is really interested in is smaller EU forces falling into line behind French commanders.