Transforming European Militaries: Coalition Operations and the Technology Gap

This book takes an in-depth look at European Network Enabled Capabilities [NEC] and their implications for transatlantic interoperability in future coalition operations. It examines both national, NATO and EU capabilities, and analyses these in the three technology areas most crucial for interoperability: command and control (C2), communications (including computers), and intelligence gathering and dissemination (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance - ISR - platforms, the sensors mounted on these, and systems for fusing and distributing the data collected), as well as looking at the doctrinal and strategic commitment to NEC. It examines the industrial base supporting European NEC and the international frameworks for improving interoperability through NEC technologies. Finally, it makes recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic on ways to improve military interoperability in future coalition operations through better common use of NEC. The book's uniqueness lies in the wayit tackles the issues of the "technology gap" and transatlantic interoperability, namely via a thorough understanding of Europe's capabilities. Unlike other books dealing with these subjects - that reach conclusions and make recommendations based on broad overviews and assumptions regarding European capabilities - this one relies on extensive data gathered on seven European countries, on NATO, and on the EU, and bases its findings on this data. Furthermore, it is the first book of its kind to focus specifically on European military transformation and NEC.