Brussels mocked over European army plan as pictures show 'more flags than soldiers'
The drill includes 2,800 troops from 19 EU member states
Reuters
The European Union’s first-joint military drill has been mocked as pictures show “more flags than soldiers”.
The bloc’s top diplomat, Josep Borell, shared photos of the drill, which he says includes 2,800 troops from 19 EU member states.
He said online: “We are holding the first-ever joint live EU military exercise.
“We are taking another step to make the EU fit to address today’s crises and threats – building a security & defence policy fit for the future.”
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Speaking to reporters whilst aboard the Juan Carlos I ship in Cadiz, Spain, he said: “Today we are creating a new page in the EU defence.
“As the EU, we need to be ready to act as required to protect our citizens and to contribute to global stability. And for that, we need to exercise together.
“This will help us to be better prepared to play a role as a defence actor and global security provider.”
Recent events including the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Ukrainian war “only show that as Europeans, we need to step up our security, and defence is part of our security”.
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The drill has been mocked as pictures show “more flags than soldiers”
Reuters
However, critics have questioned the need for the exercise.
Clwyd West MP David Jones, a prominent Brexiteer, was unconvinced the drill was necessary.
“They seem to have more flags than soldiers!” he told the Express.
“At a time when there is huge tension in the Middle East and a full-scale war in Ukraine, it is extraordinary that the EU sees fit to hold an exercise with a relatively small number of troops and for Mr Borrell to crow about it.”
Critics have questioned the need for the exercise
Jones said that most European countries were already signed up to NATO.
“It has been the guarantor of peace since the Second World War and nothing should be done to undermine it, which is precisely what an EU army does,” the MP said.
Thirty one units including assets from Austria, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania and host country Spain are taking part in the week-long military exercise.
The second round of exercises is scheduled for 2024, taking place in Germany.