376 Journal of the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies N. 5 / 2015 of time as part of a larger-scale operation. Since then, a conference is held every six months, at which each Member State presents a proposal for participation in a six-month standby period. There must be at least two BGs ready for deployment at any given time. The availability of BGs depends on the willingness of the States, and the European Union Military Committee must certify these, with the assistance of the European Union Military Staff. Since the establishment of the HG2010, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has been aware that capability planning must go beyond the year 2010, and that it can benefit from the contributions received through state planning and the lessons learned during the performance of European missions. On the subject of capability-development, a much more serious debate on the technological and industrial base of European defence has emerged. Accordingly, alongside the HG2010, a longer term capability planning process was undertaken. This process gave rise to the Long Term Vision9 , which shows a Europe that is more concerned about its security, particularly on the fringes of its territory; describes the main challenges it faces in the long term (until 2025), the implications for European Security and Defence operations when developing their capabilities and the key to planning these. This document serves as a basis for State planning in the area of defence, as do the lessons learned during missions and the HG (for short—term planning). In 2008 the Capability Development Plan10 (CDP) was approved as a guide to planning military capabilities. As the document11 states, it is not a supranational plan, and while it is therefore not binding, it does provide useful guidelines for the planning of state capabilities and aims to equip the EU with the capabilities needed to carry out its missions. It does not lay down common limits and it is subject to ongoing review. The first version of the Plan was approved in 2011 and the second in late 2014. Therefore, on the eve of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, there were already a number of important initiatives in place, creating a complex European defence environment. Also in 2008, the “Statement of Capabilities”12 was approved, which was an ambitious move that linked European defence to the development of a European Security Strategy. However, the fact that it urged Member Sates to fulfil 9 European Defence Agency, An Initial Long-Term Vision for European Defence Capability and Capacity Needs, Brussels, 2006. 10 The public document of the European Defence Agency entitled Future Trends from the Capability Development Plan, Brussels, 2008. 11 Specifically, it states that the Plan is created “by and for the Member States”, European Union External Action, Common Security and Defence Policy. Development of European military capabilities, Brussels, Updated: January 2011, Military Capabilities/8, 2011. Pag. 4. 12 Approved at the General Affairs and External Relations Council, December 2008, Council of the European Union, Brussels, 8 and 9 December 2008, 16863/08 (Presse 360). http://revista.ieee.es/index.php/ieee
REVISTA IEEE 5
To see the actual publication please follow the link above