By Simon Blanchard
From Bilateral agreements to EUnified Force?
There is some concern that Brexit might not mean Brexit. Will Theresa May’s clear political will be lost in business compromise? But what about British military interests which are daily getting more and more intertwined in EU institutions. The media is rather quiet on this vital issue.
The Lancaster House Agreement of 2010 signed by David Cameron and Sarkozy is such a concern, where our military is merging with French forces as an “ever closer union” EU army, seen recently on exercises on Salisbury plain as an EU Battlegroup in May 2016. In October 2010, Mr Cameron opened his House of Commons’ statement by denying the Strategic Defence Review (2015) was simply a “cost saving exercise”, saying it was a “step change in the way we protect this country’s security interests”. He was not joking.
So far there has been no mention of rescinding this 50 year pact – just a deafening silence on the issue. Can we seriously have our military forces and military procurement methods controlled by the EU once we have “left”? What effect will this have on any negotiations made after Article 50 is invoked? They could literally have a gun to our heads and we would have nothing but words to fight them with.
Obviously the idea of an EU Army sends a chill down most people’s backs in the UK and much or Europe. As my Mum used to say, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat”. The Lancaster house Agreement was one of the first agreements to this end, a back door arrangement to get an “ever closer union” EU Army (including Navy and Air Force) with a series of bi-lateral agreements spanning across the EU, that at first (as we have become familiar with the tactics used) would supposedly be nothing to do with the EU, “just a cost saving exercise” to “pool resources” and other Eurospeak language to mean surrendering sovereignty. It was even dubbed back in 2010 “Entente Frugale” by the gullible Lamestream Press, but as we know for sure, we are connected with the EU Common Defence procurement of materials and supplies, so where does that leave us now?
They call it “harmonization” of equipment from another secret defence treaty. Geoff Hoon at the Farnborough Air show affixed his signature to a complex document on 27th July 2000 between six EU member states, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden and the UK, ‘concerning measures to facilitate the restructuring and operation of the European defence industry’.. This was later incorporated into Article 45, 47 & 48 of the Lisbon Treaty. “the need to harmonize the military requirements of their armed forces”
Lately, back in April of this year, it was announced that Germany had agreed to have a bi-lateral military agreement with the Dutch to form an EU Army. Later I imagine, a series of similar agreements to merge military forces across the other member states, until each member state is inter-dependent on its immediate neighbour to function, they in turn merge forces, up the chain of command until the next you know you have foreign “ever closer union” soldiers and tanks parked on your lawn, patrolling your borders and seas for your “Security & Protection”, under EU Command and any industrial capability to manufacture weapons is no longer under your control, but the EU. A coup d’état by treaty.
It was only reported last week in the Press that the Navy was struggling to recruit sailors. A shortage of 4000 staff for the Royal Navy, predominantly for the 2 new aircraft carriers being constructed on the Clyde, supposedly ready for sea trials next year. Although we are told we are committed to purchasing 48 F-35B Joint Strike Fighter planes (STOVL) from Lockheed Martin, only 4 have been supplied so far to land on the Navy carriers and are dogged by flaws, faults and serious corrosion problems, described by some as having “crumbling parts”. I would not be surprised if the order is cancelled/abandoned in favour of the Eurofighter, but who makes them?
By a strange coincidence, the aircraft carriers’ design was modified in 2010 to carry French fighter planes. The new capital ships would require escort naval vessels like frigates to flank them, but the Navy only has 19 surface vessels, many in port for maintenance, others on active service off Somalia, Falklands, Gibraltar, in the Mediterranean etc. The 6 Daring class Destroyers are at the moment holed up in port with serious engine design flaws, it is said they’re not be able to operate efficiently if the sea water is too warm?! We are placated to believe it’s merely a “coincidence” and “normal operating cycle” they are all in Portsmouth at once. Who are they kidding?
So the logical question is where are these shortages in staff, ships, materials and equipment going to come from just for the Navy to function? In my opinion various senior military staff, Civil Servants and Government ministers will look no further than France, who will remain an active member of the EU. Our Royal Navy would effectively be subsumed into La Royale Navy under eventual EU Command. It would be the biggest military surrender and act of High Treason since 1066, without a shot fired.
The independent procurement of materials for the military has been the very core of military policy for hundreds of years, It’s just as important as personnel, whether your forces can function efficiently, reliably, securely and independently and provide employment in an independent defence industry.
If our military procurement is still part of an EU Common Security policy our military industrial capability will continue to be farmed out to other EU member states. An “anywhere but the UK policy”. Our independent manufacturing capability goes with it along with any industrial base left as was the case of the latest Ajax tanks order, to be manufactured in Spain with Swedish steel, even though our steel industry is closing (fleeing abroad) and our industrial base is crying out for work.
With our forces and manufacturing capability compromised, there could of course be a conflict of interest with foreign and domestic policy if our forces are merged with French forces, ultimately with Common EU foreign policy, under the EU’s Foreign Affairs spokesman Mogherini – a former member of the Italian Communist Youth movement! How could our military operate independently if the supply chain, equipment and personnel are under the control of the French or other EU member states and its institutions?
For example, when the UK withdraws from the EU Common Fisheries Policy and the UK reclaims all of its territorial waters for 200 miles under its control, up to the Median line and the French and other EU member states still demand to fish in our waters. Do you suppose this “ever closer union” Navy if manned by the French and other EU nationals, will keep French and other EU member states fishing boats out? Or do you suppose the French would ask their crews not to cooperate, let them fish in our waters unimpeded?
Things could come to a head very quickly under normal circumstances, but of course we would have neither the ships nor the manpower nor capability to respond. We would literally be unable to defend our own borders and waters from being plundered, our own “ever closer union” navy far from defending, used to sink or harass our fishing fleet in our own waters. Too far fetched a theory? but why should we put the defence of this great country in obvious risk in foreign hands?
Another example is our overseas territories which would not have any interest or clash with French or EU foreign policy. Would these French or other “Ever closer union” personnel put their lives, ships, planes, tanks etc. at risk to defend British interests in say the Falklands against Argentina (which some EU member states supplied in the 1982 war) or other sabre rattlers? Would they defend Gibraltar from Spain? The list of possible problems is endless and closer to home than we think.
Let’s make sure Brexit means Brexit for the military and defence industrial sector.
For those interested in more detail look here at an interview from UK Column News on 6th June 2016 from 19 minutes into the show with David Lewis from Strategic Defence Initiatives. He describes in shocking detail the current procurement policy in Parliament and the military which is now “EU policy driven” and continues today, even though we have voted to leave the EU. It’s like they are in denial or they don’t believe we are leaving.
Simon Blanchard
