Europe faces an undeniable shift in its security landscape. While NATO remains crucial, increasing European defence spending and calls for greater autonomy from significant EU leaders signal a shift toward a more self-sufficient security framework. The EU has evolved from an economic organisation at its conception into a political organisation, it could evolve again to include a military organisation.

The EU’s fragmented military structures and lack of centralised command pose barriers to collaboration. In navigating these barriers, France and Germany’s leadership is key, as is cooperation with critical partners like the UK.

Rather than severing ties with the US, the EU should pursue a hybrid approach—building its own defence capabilities while maintaining strategic alliances. With the right policy, Europe can evolve into a serious military power capable of ensuring its own security without breaking contact entirely with important overseas partners.

One for all and all for one

Since World War II, European security has depended on the presumed commitment of the U.S. to global stability and a rules-based order. Until 2016, NATO’s assurances made this commitment seem unquestionable. Article 5, NATO’s “One for all, all for one” clause, states that an attack on any NATO member is considered an attack on all, obligating collective assistance, including potential military action. The Trump administration has been ambiguous about how it would respond if an ally invoked Article 5. This ambiguity leaves the security of Europe unclear and provides a strong argument for the EU seeking to ensure its own security without external guarantees.

NATO and Article 5 is not the only pathway for mutual security in Europe. Less famously, the Treaty of the European Union also contains a clause (42.7) which states that an act of armed aggression on a member state’s territory obliges all other member states to assist by “all the means in their power”. Ending military cooperation for good with the US due to the foreign policy of a particular administration would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater, however, it is important that other possibilities—some, like clause 42.7, already present within the EU framework—are sought and maintained.

Rearmament

Until the second half of the 20th century, Europe was home to a number of large, technologically advanced armies. It was only after WWII that European armies shrunk in size and capacity as they instead relied on collective security underwritten by the US. Since 2021, EU military spending has increased over 30% to the number it is today. EU leaders have observed the war in Ukraine and the support being offered by the US ,and this increase in spending shows a recognition from EU countries that they must now take a more active role in their security and are increasing capability in accordance. 

NATO being commanded by a non-European country seems like a strange reality. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe is always a US officer, and whilst the US is the most powerful NATO partner. NATO is founded on the defence of Europe from Russian threat. Europe can and should use this current opportunity, an administration less interested in European security, to gain more control over the defence of their own continent.

Political Will: can Europe unite?

The presumed future Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, made comments calling for Europe to “seek real independence from the US” adding that “After Donald Trump’s remarks last week, it is clear that the Americans, at any case the Americans in this administration, do not care much about the fate of Europe.” Germany has long been regarded as a leader in the EU, and these comments will go a long way in shaping the sentiment and policy of the continent. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, another influential EU leader, has shared similar sentiments. The support and guidance of these two influential leaders, amongst others, may be critical to shape EU policy towards military capability and collaboration within the EU

The UK is a critical partner in securing Europe. Having previously worked within the EU framework, it is well-equipped to maintain a military partnership with the EU.  The UK has a vested interest in European security, as it has not yet found a way to move their archipelago away from Europe and its own security is tied to continental European security. The UK enjoys close ties and a special relationship with the US. The EU should recognise the UK as a critical security partner, for both their own capabilities and the UK’s close links to the wider global security apparatus, and seek to engage them in collaborative security in Europe.

There are, it should be noted, a number of barriers to an EU security apparatus. Due to historical and cultural factors, a transcontinental, combined army is unfeasible. Fragmentation in EU defence causes inefficiencies in procurement and administration, but is helpful for troop cohesion. However, a centralised command structure over the individual national armies could increase cooperation and reduce some efficiencies present today. This centralised command is possible within the EU framework. The EU has already evolved from an economic organisation to a political organisation, what’s to say that it can’t evolve again to include a military command?

Conclusion: A realistic way forwards?

The EU must take responsibility for securing its own region. However, they walk a delicate line, seeking independence from US security whilst still wishing to maintain a cooperative relationship. Stronger EU cooperation would allow for more European control over the security of their own continent without relying on external assistance. Beginning to move towards a European military command, able to better coordinate the national armies of Europe, the EU could strengthen their positions both as a continent and as individual countries in defending Europe and the rules-based order in which the EU thrives.

Jarrah Turner is an Assistant Editor at Australian Outlook and a Graduate of International Relations and German Language from Macquarie University.

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