The Transformation of Europe's Armed Forces
From the Rhine to Afghanistan

This book explores the transformation of Europe's military forces as they prepare for global intervention missions.

Anthony King (Author)

9781107647688, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 March 2014

326 pages, 6 b/w illus. 3 maps
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.44 kg

'… this is an excellent book and a valuable contribution to the literature on the post-Cold War adaptation of European armed forces. It should be read by practitioners and higher-level students of strategic studies.' International Affairs

As a result of new strategic threats, Europe's land forces are currently undergoing a historic transformation which may reflect wider processes of European integration. Europe's mass, mainly conscript armies are being replaced by smaller, more capable, professionalised militaries concentrated into new operational headquarters and rapid reaction brigades, able to plan, command, and execute global military interventions. At the same time, these headquarters and brigades are co-operating with each other across national borders at a level which would have been inconceivable in the twentieth century. As a result, a transnational military network is appearing in Europe, the forces in which are converging on common forms of military expertise. This book is a groundbreaking study of the military dimensions of European integration, which have been largely ignored until now. It will appeal to scholars across the social sciences interested in the progress of the European project, and the nature of the military today.

Preface
Part I. Strategic Context: 1. Towards a sociology of military transformation
2. Europe's new military
3. The capacity for autonomous action?
Part II. Operational Transformation: 4. The operational network
5. The operational renaissance
6. Operational art
Part III. Tactical Transformation: 7. The empowered brigade
8. Elitism
9. Cohesion
10. Co-ordination
11. The future of Europe's armed forces.

Subject Areas: Military tactics [JWKT], Theory of warfare & military science [JWA], Warfare & defence [JW], International relations [JPS], Sociology [JHB]