A European army is an army constituted by the countries belonging to the European Union and integrated the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).[8][15][16] Since no such unified army is currently established, defense is a matter for the member states individually. The member states are, however, bound by several obligations arising from international treaties, and they conduct several multinational initiatives.[17][18]
According to current Treaty on European Union article 42(7):[19]
If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. This shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States.
The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognized by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.
Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security.
Accordingly, a hypothetical attacker on the territory of the European Union would impose an obligatory reaction from all European Union Member States which (by all the means of their power) can use their military forces respectively, except in situations where the Security Council has taken measures to restore peace according to article 51 of United Nations Charter.
The European Army is constituted by 26 armed forces of the countries' armies belonging to the European Union:[21]
Eurocorps is an autonomous military force of France, Germany (founding states), Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg and Poland (framework states) and Austria, Greece, Italy, Romania and Turkey (associate members)[22] whose aim is to maintain common headquarters and command of selected national military units, up to 65,000 personnel.[23]
The soldiers of Eurocorps are provided by their respective nations. The missions of the Eurocorps are generally assigned under the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), under the European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), or pursuant to a joint decision taken by the contracting parties. According to a separate agreement, Eurocorps forces can be put under the command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.[24]
EU battlegroups
EU battlegroup is military unit based on staff contributions from a coalition of EU member states in size around 1,500 personnel and funded from Common Foreign and Security budget. Their deployment is subject to a unanimous decision by the Council of the European Union. Battlegroups are employable across the full range of tasks listed in article 43(1) of the Treaty on European Union: conflict prevention, initial stabilisation, humanitarian interventions and rescue tasks, crisis management and peacekeeping. EU Battlegroups are based on the principle of multi-nationality allowing even non-EU members, for example Nordic Battlegroup was joined by Norway which is not a member of the EU.[25]
European Maritime Force
In 1995, the European Maritime Force was formed by France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain to fulfill missions such as sea control, humanitarian missions, peacekeeping operations, crisis response operations, and peace enforcement. Missions can be deployed under European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or United Nations (UN), mandate, and also as the four partner nations agree. The managing body of EMF is the High Level Inter-Ministerial Committee (CIMIN) composed by Chiefs of Defense (CHOD), Political Head Directorates of Defense and Foreign Affairs Ministries.[26]
However, during the Cold War, Western Europe relied on NATO for defence, precluding the development of European cooperation.[33] Immediately after the "fall of communism", the defence apparatus was preoccupied by NATO expansion into the former Soviet bloc. The idea of a European army gained popularity after the September 11 attacks and NATO's involvement in conflicts outside of Europe. In a phenomenon dubbed diversification of European security, NATO has come to be responsible for "hard" threats while the European Union has taken a greater role in "soft" threats, including peacekeeping in the western Balkans.[33] The 2009 Treaty of Lisbon also has furthered defence integration within the EU.[33] This has led to support for a European Defence Union, which would be a step higher in collaboration than the current Common Security and Defence Policy.[34]
In 2019, Germany and the Netherlands activated 414 Tank Battalion, the first that included soldiers from two EU countries. The battalion was created because Germany did not have enough soldiers, while the Netherlands lacked tank capability. This was described as a step towards a European army.[31] However, the experience of the Franco-German Brigade in Alsace has been different, facing challenges due to greater linguistic and cultural differences. Notably, Germany's "innate caution since World War II about military intervention."[31]
Before the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian War that broke out in February 2022, the idea of a European army and European defense was undefined. The main idea was always to delegate the management of European defense exclusively to NATO. The idea of a unified common army was and still is opposed by many European Union member states. Furthermore, for many decades, the European Union's defense investments were delegated to individual European states and were not considered a priority.
There were and are no agreements to create a unified EU army, and defense is the sole responsibility of the member states. However, recent rising geopolitical tensions and the ongoing war in Ukraine, along with the need to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine, have defined the European army as a not unified army, but rather as an army constituted by the countries' armies belonging to the European Union under NATO coordination. In this sense, the European army is constituted as a defensive army which, together with NATO, performs the sole and primary function of deterrence.[35][36][37]
On 11 September 2025, the European army, composed predominantly of the Polish Armed Forces and under the coordination of NATO, carried out their first defensive deployment in Poland with approximately 40,000 soldiers, on the border with Russia. This occurred in response to an invasion of Polish airspace the previous day, using drones from Russia and Belarus. Regarding this violation by Russia, to which Poland responded by initiating NATO Article 4, it was initially thought to be a mistake by the Russian armed forces, as also emphasized by US PresidentDonald Trump. Subsequently, it was speculated that the drones had been hijacked by Ukrainian forces to put pressure on the European Union. Finally, the predominant hypothesis stated by NATO leaders was that it was an act desired by Russia to test the military response capabilities of NATO and Polish forces, an act of open hostility towards Poland's support for Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Unfortunately, the Russian drone incursion into Poland has demonstrated that the European defense system under NATO coordination is not sufficiently prepared and efficient to respond to an attack by approximately 20 drones that were shot down by NATO air forces showing that Europe needs NATO suppliers and support to aid in a potential conflict.
On 12 September 2025, Mark Rutte announced the launch of Operation "Eastern Sentry", a defense military operation aimed at strengthening NATO's position along the eastern flank, up to the borders with Russia and Belarus. A similar operation, with exclusively defensive and deterrence purposes, to the one already activated by NATO on 14 January 2025 for the countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia called "Baltic Sentry".[38]
A German Air ForceEurofighter Typhoon aircraft prepares to receive fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing during exercise Baltic Trident over Estonia, March 16, 2021. Exercise Baltic Trident is a joint training exercise to ensure Airmen and aircrew are postured to deliver lethal combat power across the spectrum of military operations by utilizing elements of agile combat employment.
On 13 September 2025, the Romanian Armed Forces also reported that a Russian drone had intruded into Romanian airspace near the Danube. However, the drone was not shot down and did not cause any damage to Romanian territory. The area was subsequently controlled by two German Eurofighters.[39] On 15 September 2025, Russia denies responsibility for the drone that violated Romanian airspace, blaming the Ukrainian Armed Forces, again with the aim of putting pressure on Europe.[40]
Three Italian F-35s wait in formation as the rest of their team receives fuel from a MAINEiac KC-135 Stratotanker above the Arctic Circle, May 29, 2023. The crews are taking part in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2023, a live fly exercise that serves to advance arctic security initiatives and enhance interoperability in the increasingly dynamic and contested region.
On 20 September 2025, three Russian MiG-31 aircraft entered Estonian airspace while their communications were turned off, which compelled two Italian F-35s involved in NATO surveillance of the Baltic region to intercept them. The three MiG-31s subsequently returned to their base in Kaliningrad. For this violation, Estonia also requested the application of NATO Article 4. Russia said that Estonian airspace had not been violated.[41][42][43]
On 22 September 2025, drones were spotted at Copenhagen Airport, Denmark and later at Oslo Airport, Norway. The airports were temporarily closed and then reopened, but there is no confirmation that the drones were Russian.[44][45]
On 25 September 2025, several drones were spotted in Danish airspace, and Aalborg Airport was closed for safety reasons. In the following hours, drones were spotted at three other airports: Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup. There is no confirmation that these are Russian drones, and Russia denies any responsibility.[46]Denmark has contacted NATO following sightings of drones in its airspace near several airports, but has not yet decided whether to activate NATO Article 4.[47][48] Two Hungarian Gripen fighters from NATO's Baltic Air Policing team took off today from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania in response to a Russian Sukhoi Su-30, Sukhoi Su-35 and three MiG-31s flying close to Latvian airspace, demonstrating the Alliance's commitment to protecting and safeguarding the Baltics and the eastern flank. NATO Secretary GeneralMark Rutte has expressed his support for US PresidentDonald Trump's position that alliance member countries should be prepared, if necessary, to shoot down Russian drones and jets entering their airspace. The Russian ambassador to France declared the downing of a Russian military aircraft an act of war, to which Russia would respond. European diplomats in Moscow have warned the Kremlin that NATO is ready to respond with all its forces to further violations of its airspace, including the downing of Russian aircraft.[49]Italian Prime MinisterGiorgia Meloni is strongly opposed to this position and declares that it would lead to an uncontrolled escalation that would favor Russia.
On 26 September 2025, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the intention to shoot down Russian drones or planes violating NATO airspace is highly irresponsible. Aalborg Airport in Denmark closed again due to suspected drone overflights. Deputy Prime Minister of ItalyMatteo Salvini calls for caution in statements and for diplomacy and dialogue with Russia. Sweden reports a drones overflight of a Swedish Navy base near Sturkö and Tjurkö, in the Karlskrona archipelago in southern Sweden. The sightings occurred on the evening of September 25, 2025. European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius agreed at a urgent meeting to accelerate the European Union's anti-drone defence plan, with an advanced system for detection, tracking and interception.
On 27 September 2025, more drones were spotted on the evening of September 26, 2025, over the Karup military base, Denmark's largest. The drones were not shot down. The origin of the drones is unconfirmed. Germany is considering allowing its armed forces to shoot down drones. EU Economy CommissionerValdis Dombrovskis says we are already in a hybrid war with Russia.[50][51]
'Several allies, including Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Romania, have suffered airspace violations by Russia. These acts are escalating, reckless, and put lives at risk. And Russia bears full responsibility. I express my full and unequivocal solidarity with all allies whose airspace has been violated. The Alliance's response has been vigorous and will continue to strengthen' Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, said at the Allied Chiefs of Defense meeting in Riga.[52]
'Russia is accused of having almost planned an attack against NATO and European Union countries. President Putin has repeatedly denied these provocations. Russia has never had and does not have such intentions. However, any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response.' Russian Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov said this while speaking at the UN General Assembly.[53]
Regarding the issue of drone incursions on the eastern flank, the origin of which remains uncertain, Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke out, denouncing the interception of a swarm of 92 drones heading towards Poland, warning that Italy could be the next target of a violation of its airspace.[54][55]
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign MinisterAntonio Tajani declared in the evening, 'I hope this doesn't happen, but I don't believe Putin wants to start World War III, and I don't believe Italy is a military target'. Tajani nevertheless emphasized that 'Italian Air Force is capable of verifying what is happening and shooting down drones with threatening intentions'. Italy's Foreign Minister concluded his statement by adding, 'Putin is testing the Western world's reactions, but the Western world has already demonstrated that it knows how to react,' even though these messages from Russia appear to be 'political, not military'.[56][57]
On 30 September 2025, Despite calls for caution from some European politicians, Secretary General of NATOMark Rutte, in agreement with Commission PresidentUrsula von der Leyen, stated that Ukraine is our first line of defense and that we must maintain and increase our support. Some argue that these statements are not only misguided but also unfit for their respective roles, as Ukraine is currently neither a member of NATO nor a member of the European Union, placing NATO and the European Union in open conflict with Russia in the Russo-Ukrainian War.[58][59] Furthermore, the sale or use of frozen Russian assets held within the European Union to finance operations in support of Ukraine could further deteriorate relations with Russia.[60][61] These reckless positions only strengthen Putin's casus belli positions, which could lead to direct conflict with NATO and the European Union.[62] Italy, a member of both NATO and the European Union, along with several other European Union countries, is firmly opposed to these openly conflicting positions or a further deterioration of relations with Russia.
Characteristics
The European army, constituted by 26 armed forces of the countries' armies belonging to the European Union[63], has intrinsic weaknesses such as which compromise its efficiency and effectiveness[64], however it also has significant strengths.
Former Dutch deputy prime minister Kajsa Ollongren supported the idea while former defence minister Ank Bijleveld opposed it.[68] It is also opposed by Eurosceptic politicians in the EU, such as Ryszard Legutko.[30][65] NATO has been described as the "biggest obstacle" to a European army.[69]
A 2019 survey found that 37% of Dutch citizens "approved the idea of a European army" while 30% are opposed to formation of an army of all EU members.[70]
At the 2021 State of the Union address delivered by the President of the European Commission to the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen said to European Union members that "what we need is the European Defence Union" and that "the European Union is a unique security provider. There will be missions where NATO or the UN will not be present but where Europe should be... There have been many discussions on expeditionary forces. On what type and how many we need: battlegroups or EU entry forces. This is no doubt part of the debate – and I believe it will be part of the solution. But the more fundamental issue is why this has not worked in the past." and announced a 'Summit on European defence'[75]
On 17 September 2021, the Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi talked about the European army at the end of the EuMed summit in Athens, with an urgent tone for its establishment. [76]
The announcement of the AUKUS "trilateral security partnership" between Australia, UK and US to "sustain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region" is seen as an attempt to limit China's rise as a global military power. However, this has led to some mistrust in Europe, in particular in France, that has contributed to increasing the process of the formation of a European Army.[77][78][failed verification]
On 28 September 2021, Greece and France signed a multibillion-euro military agreement. The Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the idea of a European army "a mature proposal" and that this agreement could be a first big step towards a European army.[79]
On 15 February 2025, in a speech at the 61st Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the creation of an "Army of Europe" in order to counter Russia with the prospect of wavering support from the United States. This follows the previous day's speech of Vice President of the United States JD Vance, in which he called for Europe to "step up in a big way" in regard to its own defense.[82]
According to NATO officials, the alliance has discouraged independent European defence capabilities, both as an attempt to avoid duplication and as a moral hazard effect from US defence subsidies prompting less military spending by European countries. The United States ambassador to NATO also expressed opposition to any European protectionism in developing its own defence industry. Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the European Union could not defend itself without NATO and should not try to form a European army.[69]
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of NATO's presence in Italy, Mattarella spoke of a strengthening of European defense within the alliance with NATO.[84]
2022 YouGov poll results
In April 2022, YouGov conducted a survey in sixteen European Union member countries and the United Kingdom asking about support for the creation of an integrated European army. The results of this survey are presented in the table below.[85]
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