Europe can no longer rely on the United States « by default » and must rapidly increase defence spending, the former head of Britain’s Armed Forces has warned.
In a major intervention, Gen Sir Nick Carter insisted Europe « should be a superpower, economically, politically and militarily » to protect itself in the « evolving world order. »
The warning appeared in a report published before a major security summit in Germany.
French president Emmanuel Macron urged Europe on Tuesday to « wake up » and behave like a major world power. He also accused Donald Trump of wanting to « dismember » the EU.
Trump hands over Nato bases
Mr Trump began handing over control of certain Nato bases on Tuesday following repeated threats to quit the alliance.
European Nato leaders announced a fresh Arctic mission designed to tackle the US president’s security worries about the region.
Organisers of the Munich Security Conference issued a statement ahead of Mr Macron’s comments, which also took aim at « demolition man » Mr Trump.
It said « the United States has largely abandoned the role of the ‘leader of the free world » under the president and that the world was now in an era of « wrecking-ball politics ».
John Healey, the Defence Secretary, said « demands on defence are rising », adding: « The UK is stepping up on European security and leading within Nato to boost our collective defence and deterrence. »
Five-point plan unveiled
Sir Nick, who led the defence staff between 2018 and 2021, warned in the report that Europe needs to get ready quickly for a world where America no longer acts as its traditional guardian.
« Europe’s influence will depend on its ability to take rapid collective action. A Europe that can do so – and take responsibility for its own defence and security – will remain a shaper of the international order. A Europe that cannot will be shaped by others, » he said.
His paper for the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change sets out five key measures: continued funding for Ukraine‘s military, tougher action against Russian sabotage, an overhaul of how Europe makes defence decisions and produces weapons to reduce dependence on America, and a new social contract to win public backing for the military transformation.
America has served as Europe’s guardian for decades. That relationship has been thrown into turmoil by Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Questions now hang over whether the US president backs Nato’s Article 5 mutual defence pact, while his threats to take Greenland by force have put the alliance’s very survival in doubt.
Britain handed key Nato role
The Pentagon has moved to overhaul Nato following his re-election, demanding European nations take on a bigger share of their defence and security burden.
Nato’s military committee chairman unveiled the first dramatic change on Tuesday, disclosing that Britain will get a significant position in Mr Trump’s revamped transatlantic alliance.
A British general will assume command of Joint Force Command Norfolk in Virginia, replacing a US admiral.
The position has gained added importance since Nato chiefs expanded the area of operation to the Arctic to satisfy Mr Trump’s ambitions over Greenland.
« Allies have agreed on a new distribution of senior officer responsibility across the Nato Command Structure in which European Allies, including Nato’s newest members, will play a more prominent role in the alliance’s military leadership, » a Nato official told The Telegraph.
Missile tour planned
The EU’s defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius plans a « missile tour » of Europe to encourage nations to begin producing more long-range weapons.
In recent weeks he has championed a 100,000-strong « European Military Force » that would reshape how the continent defends itself without US support.
Mr Healey said British forces would take part in the Arctic Sentry mission. While visiting Royal Marines at Camp Viking in Norway’s Arctic region, he vowed to double troop numbers in the country from 1,000 to 2,000 within three years.
Navy flagship plan criticised
MPs were told on Tuesday the Royal Navy’s flagship plan to create a fleet of « hybrid » warships and drones depended too much on « unproven technologies. »
The Atlantic Bastion project, revealed last year with plans to construct new autonomous vessels for future naval operations, was « based on vapourware », experts told MPs.
Military leaders hope the plan will reinforce the Navy, now at its smallest in years, and shore up defences in the North Atlantic and Baltic against Russian submarine threats.
Maritime analysts told a Commons defence committee hearing they had serious doubts about the concept, warning it might take years before any ships were built.
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