Analyses

There are serious doubts about whether the European Union will meet its goal of achieving a fully operational European Rapid Reaction Force (ERRF), in accordance with its stated aspirations, by 2003. These doubts have been fuelled by the relatively low level of defence spending planned so far by the EU countries for the period up to 2003 and the allocation of this limited funding. Furthermore, the military restructuring required for prospective missions appears to be behind schedule. The following is an analysis of how short of its goals the ERRF is likely to fall and what needs to be done.