Politics

The Euro Army

Battlegroups Are First Step Towards A Euro Army
European Union defence ministers will today sign off plans for battlegroups of troops poised for instant action, in a significant move towards a European army. The British and the French, the driving forces behind the scheme, will provide the first 1,500-strong battlegroup, or "expeditionary force", starting in January. The unit is to be ready for action anywhere within 15 days of a decision by EU ministers. "These are combat troops in their barracks with their boots on ready to go," a British diplomat said. The move comes as the EU takes on its first big military mission on Dec 2, replacing NATO in charge of the 7,000-man Bosnia task force. Posted by Editor at November 22, 2004 07:39 AM