A new European security and defence architecture in the making: What does it look like and what are the implications for Norway? (EURODEFENCE)

2021 - 2024 (Ongoing)
Research project
This project will study the implications of the new European defence initiatives for Norway particularly, as an allied and closely associated non-member of the EU. Despite the incremental nature of the European initiatives and the steadfast NATO loyalty in Norway, the European initiatives have changed the drivers, dynamics and practices of European and transatlantic defence cooperation, and this project will unravel how this has changed and what the consequences are for Norway.

Several initiatives have been taken in recent years to strengthen European defence cooperation in capability development and capacity to act. The need for strategic autonomy has been emphasised. These initiatives make up a whole new set of policies and institutions – both at the EU-level (i.e. PESCO, CARD and EDF) and outside of the EU structures (i.e. EI2, JEF, FNC).

Even though the incumbent US President is more Europe-friendly than his predecessor, the ongoing European processes will continue to move ahead as they have already made their mark in the European defence architecture. The aim of this project is to investigate what these new initiatives mean in the wider security and defence context and what the implications are for (1) the European security and defence institutions and (2) the broader European capacity to handle various potential security threats through different constellations, such as ad hoc coalitions of the willing, through NATO or within the EU.

Importantly, EURODEFENCE will study the implications of the new European defence initiatives for Norway particularly, as an allied and closely associated non-member of the EU. Despite the incremental nature of the European initiatives and the steadfast NATO loyalty in Norway, the European initiatives have changed the drivers, dynamics and practices of European and transatlantic defence cooperation, and this project will unravel how this has changed and what the consequences are for Norway.

The project is a collaboration with Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.

 

Funding program

The project is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence

Articles

PODCAST: The EU’s role in European security and defence

May 13, 2022

On the 21 of March 2022, the Council of the EU adopted a Strategic Compass, a roadmap for the EU to become a stronger security and defence actor. But what does this really mean, and does it change the EUs role as a security actor in any significant way?

Publications

Publication : Policy Brief
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Europeanisation of Norwegian security and defence policy. Nordic cooperation as vehicle.

2022
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European security has been placed on high alert, highlighting the importance of both the EU and NATO as key, although ...
Publication : Research Paper
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Keeping up with the emerging European Defence Union: synchronising third country participation

2022
  • Steven Blockmans
Years of underspending combined with off-the-shelf weapons deliveries to support the Ukrainian armed forces has confronted EU countries with a threefold ...
Publication : Academic article
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Making Sense of the European Side of the Transatlantic Security Relations in Africa

2022
This article aims to investigate the character of transatlantic security relations in Africa: How can it be characterized? Have they become weaker or ...
Publication : Policy Brief
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Navigating High-Profile and Low Availability: Norway and the Emerging US Maritime-Strategic Approach

2022
  • Amund Nørstrud Lundesgaard
Summary: Despite a resurgence of Russian naval power, and subsequent increase in US maritime-strategic interest in the Northern Flank and Norway, the ...
Publication
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The European Maritime Security and Defence Policy Architecture: Implications for Norway

2021
Maritime security is high on the international and European security agenda, hence a number of new initiatives and actions have developed within the EU, ...
Publication
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European defence beyond institutional boundaries: Improved European defence through flexibility, differentiation and coordination

2021
As a response to the changing geopolitical situation, initiatives aimed to strengthen European defence have been taken in NATO, in the EU, but also bi- ...