Defence in the European Union - Supporting report for the EESC Workers’ Group

This report, prepared for the EESC Workers' Group, analyses the question of defence in the European Union within its current state of play and its insertion into the broader debate of security. The report provides an overview of the historical trends leading to the current security and defence situation, both legally and politically, and analyses the current state of affairs of the EU military from the point of view of expenditure and equipment, following the work of the Niinistö Report and other related recent documents. The report also summarises the state of the defence industry and the financial implications of military expenditure, as well as the positions of European and national trade unions related to these questions. The report concludes that, while the expenditure level of the EU is high, the Return Of Investment (ROI) is extremely low, with a small fraction of available forces ready for deployment, fragmented armed forces and inability to act autonomously (at national or European level). The EU has put multiple initiatives, plans and frameworks over the years, but most of them are mere rehashing of older structures, measures lack enforcement and sanctions, and proposals lack significant funding or political will. The EU finds itself completely dependent on the US in key enablers. The report also concludes that the debate on how and where the money is spent is not only largely missing from arbitrary GDP targets, but that it is also essential if the money is to provide tangible defence improvements, contribute to quality jobs and innovation, andprevent member states from going bankrupt. Defence must be considered as part of a larger geopolitical plan for peace and security, taking into account social, economic, and environmental factors, and increased defence expenditure presents a series of inherent challenges and risks, alongside rearmament. The report also considers fundamental the democratic question, both in terms of democratic mandate for hypothetical EU military action, and civil society and trade union oversight of defence processes and of the working and living conditions of military personnel (including trade union rights).