德国外交关系理事会-英德国防合作可以帮助欧洲免受新威胁（英文）-2020.11-46页_953kb

UK-Germany Defence Cooperation Summary

Core Content

This report explores the potential for closer defence cooperation between the United Kingdom and Germany, highlighting the need for strategic collaboration in a rapidly evolving security environment. The study is part of a broader project at King's College London, supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation. It identifies key areas where the two countries can work together to enhance their military capabilities and contribute to NATO and European security.

Main Points

Similarities and Differences

• Similarities: The UK and Germany share comparable threat perceptions, full-spectrum armed forces, and similar defence budgets. They have overlapping interests in maintaining European security and are both members of NATO and the EU.
• Differences: The UK focuses more on expeditionary operations and rapid response, while Germany emphasizes multinational capability building for national and alliance defence. Their military structures and equipment differ, especially in the maritime domain.

Security Challenges

• The European security environment has become increasingly hostile due to Russia's actions in Crimea and instability along southern borders.
• The UK and Germany face budget pressures, exacerbated by the 2008 financial crisis and the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Both countries need to enhance their capabilities in deterrence, crisis management, and cooperative security, especially in light of emerging threats such as hybrid warfare and cyber attacks.

NATO and EU Context

• NATO's Strategic Concept outlines major threats, including nuclear proliferation, terrorism, cyber security, and A2/AD technologies.
• Germany and the UK are part of collective defence arrangements and lead multinational capability clusters within NATO.
• EU defence initiatives such as CARD, PESCO, and the European Defence Fund are influencing European force planning, including that of Germany and the UK.

Key Findings

• Despite common misconceptions, the UK and Germany have significant potential for cooperation in military capabilities.
• Existing cooperation is largely based on equipment commonality and traditional forms like joint exercises and liaison officers, but lacks strategic planning.
• Joint procurement projects are limited due to diverging industrial and political priorities, especially in the air domain.
• Capability gaps in both countries can be addressed through closer cooperation, which would also benefit the broader NATO and EU frameworks.

3x3 Recommendations

Easy but Effective

1. Medium-to-long-range precision strike: Enhance MLRS fleets or jointly develop and procure successor systems to improve strike capabilities.
2. Air and missile defence cooperation: Focus on addressing small commercial drones and cruise/ballistic missiles, which are emerging threats.
3. German participation in the UK's Complex Weapons Programme: Help close the gap in precision-guided weapons and reduce dependency on the US.

Political Symbols

1. Institutionalised C-130 experience exchange: Establish a formal exchange between RAF and German-Franco C-130 squadrons to create a trilateral cooperation model.
2. Coordinated global port calls: Align port calls of German and UK maritime assets to demonstrate European unity and commitment.
3. Building a European cyber community: Promote European participation in the UK's cyber challenges and explore a regular, joint UK-German cyber challenge for European partners.

Game-changers

1. Multi/binational airborne ISR/ELINT/SIGINT/EW fleets: Develop multinational capabilities in these areas to address European gaps and enhance NATO's posture.
2. FCAS and Tempest merger: Explore co-development of future combat air systems to shape the European aerospace industry.
3. Joint MPA fleet: Germany should consider leasing P-8 Poseidons and developing additional uninhabited systems for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare.

Conclusion

UK-Germany defence cooperation is a largely untapped resource that can significantly enhance military efficiency and European security. Despite Brexit and ongoing challenges, the two countries share common values and interests in a secure Europe. Strengthening their relationship through targeted cooperation in key military capabilities can support NATO's collective deterrence and defence posture. The report outlines the potential for future collaboration, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and alignment in the face of evolving security threats and financial constraints.

Annex and References

The report includes annexes and references to support its findings, with data sourced from IISS and other strategic documents. It also outlines the need for further analysis on industrial and innovation-related aspects of cooperation, which will be addressed in subsequent papers.