Despite rows, EU-US defence ties still strong
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on 21 June acknowledged the ‘real’ disagreements between Europe and the US but insisted the trans-Atlantic bond on defence and security remained strong.
He said he was ‘absolutely confident’ that the US-led military alliance would be able to demonstrate its unity at a summit in July 2018, promising ‘more cash and capabilities’.
Stoltenberg said in a speech in London: ‘These disagreements are real. It is not written in stone that the transatlantic bond will survive forever. But I believe we will preserve it.’
He noted different views between European nations and US President Donald Trump on the Iran nuclear deal, the environment and trade, which exploded at an acrimonious G7 meeting earlier in June 2018.
Stoltenberg said: ‘There are many different ties that bind Europe and North America together. We may have seen the weakening of some of them lately. But our ties on defence have grown stronger.
‘Since coming to office, the Trump administration has increased funding for the US presence in Europe by 40%. The last US Main Battle Tank left Europe in 2013. But now they're back. With a whole new armoured brigade.’
He added that faced with international terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, cyberattacks on ‘a more assertive Russia’, North America and Europe must stand together.
He said: ‘It is – and has always been – in our fundamental interest to stand together.’
More from Defence Notes
-
![Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft]()
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
![US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities]()
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
-
![Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes after a series of firsts]()
Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes after a series of firsts
More than 40,000 military personnel from 19 participating nations took part in the 11th iteration of the biennial Exercise Talisman Sabre multi-domain event which was held across Australia and in Papua New Guinea.
-
![US Africa Command targets logistic solutions]()
US Africa Command targets logistic solutions
AFRICOM is seeking IT systems and supply chain management solutions to enhance interoperability and standardise logistical processes in its area of responsibility.
