On Monday 13th November 23 Member states (all except U.K., Ireland, Denmark, Malta and Portugal) approved and signed up to the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).
An increase of 1,8 billion euros. The French National Assembly approved in first reading an increase of 1,8 billion euros in defence spending in 2018. Every year until 2022 the defence budget will increase of 1,7 billion euros in order to reach the 2% NATO
On Wednesday 8th November, Turkey signed a letter of intent with France and Italy to strengthen cooperation on joint defence projects including air and missile defence systems.
The EU's Chiefs of Defense appointed Claudio Graziano as the new Chairman of the EU Military Committee, starting November 2018, for three years. He will replace the Greek General Mikhail Kostarakos.
Is further integration of the European Defense market desirable or even possible? On 27 September, French President Emmanuel Macron outlined his vision for the future of the European Union in a speech at the Sorbonne University.
Under the “lead-nation” rotation plan for the EU battlegroups, it will be Britain’s turn to provide the bulk of the troops from July 2019 – i.e. just a few months after it definitely leaves the bloc. While a defence cooperation agreement could be reached by