Accession Number:

ADA407155

Title:

The European Union's Headline Goal: An Operational Assessment

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Pelkola, Ryan J.

Report Date:

2002-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

75.0

Abstract:

In December 1998, French and British leaders declared that the European Union EU must develop the capacity for autonomous military action to respond to international crises, In December 1999, EU leaders meeting in Helsinki established the Headline Goal defined as the autonomous ability to deploy 60,000 troops in 60 days for an operation lasting as long as one year to conduct the Petersbergg Tasks of humanitarian intervention, peacekeeping, and peacemaking. The deadline for the operational capability of the Headline Goal is December 2003, Although in December 2001 the EU declared that it had some operational capability, it remains unable to conduct certain Petersberg Tasks, especially upper level missions such as peacemaking on the model of NATOs Kosovo intervention. Despite the current military force structures of EU member states, significant capability shortfalls, and stagnant or declining defense budgets in most EU countries, it appears that the EU will be able to conduct lower-level Petersberg Tasks in permissive environments by December 2003. However, capabilities needed for upper level tasks, such as strategic airlift, will take several years to develop and acquire far beyond the deadline of December 2003.

Descriptors:

• *MILITARY OPERATIONS
• *MILITARY BUDGETS
• *INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
• *EUROPEAN UNION
• NATO
• EUROPE
• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• MILITARY FACILITIES
• EMERGENCIES
• LEADERSHIP
• SKILLS
• MISSIONS
• SELF OPERATION
• AIRLIFT OPERATIONS
• PEACEKEEPING
• UNITED KINGDOM

Subject Categories:

• Economics and Cost Analysis
• Government and Political Science
• Military Forces and Organizations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE