The Transformation of Europe's Armed Forces: From the Rhine to Afghanistan

As a result of new strategic threats, Europe's land forces are currently undergoing a historic transformation which may reflect wider processes of European integration. Europe's mass, mainly conscript armies are being replaced by smaller, more capable, professionalised militaries concentrated into new operational headquarters and rapid reaction brigades, able to plan, command, and execute global military interventions. At the same time, these headquarters and brigades are co-operating with each other across national borders at a level which would have been inconceivable in the twentieth century. As a result, a transnational military network is appearing in Europe, the forces in which are converging on common forms of military expertise. This book is a groundbreaking study of the military dimensions of European integration, which have been largely ignored until now. It will appeal to scholars across the social sciences interested in the progress of the European project, and the nature of the military today. "As a result of new strategic threats, Europe's land forces are currently undergoing a historic transformation which may reflect wider processes of European integration. Europe's mass, mainly conscript armies are being replaced by smaller, more capable, professionalised militaries concentrated into new operational headquarters and rapid reaction brigades, able to plan, command and execute global military interventions. At the same time, these headquarters and brigades are co-operating with each other across national borders at a level which would have been inconceivable in the twentieth century. As a result, a transnational military network is appearing in Europe, the forces in which are converging on common forms of military expertise. This is a groundbreaking study of the military dimensions of European integration, which have been largely ignored until now. It will appeal to scholars across the social sciences interested in the progress of the European project, and the nature of the military today"-- Provided by publisher "As a result of new strategic threats, Europe's land forces are currently undergoing a historic transformation which may reflect wider processes of European integration. Europe's mass, mainly conscript armies are being replaced by smaller, more capable, professionalised militaries concentrated into new operational headquarters and rapid reaction brigades, able to plan, command and execute global military interventions. At the same time, these headquarters and brigades are co-operating with each other across national borders at a level which would have been inconceivable in the twentieth century. As a result, a transnational military network is appearing in Europe, the forces in which are converging on common forms of military expertise. This is a groundbreaking study of the military dimensions of European integration, which have been largely ignored until now. It will appeal to scholars across the social sciences interested in the progress of the European project, and the nature of the military today"-- NL-ZmNBD Cover......Page 1 Frontmatter......Page 2 Contents......Page 6 List of figures......Page 7 List of abbreviations......Page 8 Preface......Page 12 Part I - Strategic context......Page 16 1 - Towards a sociology of military transformation......Page 18 2 - Europe's new military......Page 35 3 - The capacity for autonomous action?......Page 61 Part II - Operational transformation......Page 78 4 - The operational network......Page 80 5 - The operational renaissance......Page 118 6 - Operational art......Page 141 Part III - Tactical transformation......Page 162 7 - The empowered brigade......Page 164 8 - Elitism......Page 193 9 - Cohesion......Page 219 10 - Co-ordination......Page 252 11 - The future of Europe's armed forces......Page 286 Bibliography......Page 303 Index......Page 319 Explores the transformation of Europe's military forces as they prepare for global intervention missions.--Résumé de l'éditeur