Defence Online

EU raises military budget for first time since 2010

Land November 16, 2016

The European Union is to increase its military research budget for the first time in six years after UK dropped its opposition to the plan.

EU governments agreed to increase the 2017 funding of the European Defence Agency by 1.6%, in line with inflation. The rise will see the budget rise from €30.5M to €31M.

The Agency, which had seen its budget reduced 15% in real terms, had been seeking an increase of 6.5%.

EU Foreign Affairs Minister Federica Mogherini commented on the increase: “It is a clear demonstration of all EU member states, including the United Kingdom, to increase the budget of the agency to reflect the work to be done.”

EU officials believe that Britain might seek to work closely with the EU when Brexit finally comes to pass to deal with escalating security threats and Russian aggression.

The news follows Monday’s agreement on new plans on the European Union security and defence in a move seen to make Europe less reliant on support from the US following Donald Trump’s shock election win.

The President-elect had previously voiced his opinion that only NATO members who “fulfil their obligations”.

Mrs Mogherini said the plans would not include the creation of an EU army or military headquarters.

The Minister commented: “The substance of it is, first of all, providing the European Union with the capabilities, the structures, the tools, and the financial resources that are needed to fulfill the level of ambition we identify… This is not about big operational headquarters but it is about streamlining and making our current headquarters work better.”

Photo: EU foreign affairs Minister Federica Mogherini (c) Drop of Light / Shutterstock.com

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Post written by: Matt Brown