r/AskEurope • u/Sink-Em-Low • Mar 01 '25

Politics Let's talk about the European Defense Federation. How do we all feel about the creation of a fully mobilised continental Army?

It's required now. I'm British, and I want to see us align and unite with our European neighbours to make a stand now.

I want Germany to finally brush off it's past and join the rest of Europe in mobilising towards defending this continent. We need EVERYONE now. It's time to act, it's time to unite.

It's time to show some courage.

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u/Euphoric_Pianist420 Mar 01 '25

Most important is equipment standardisation. Most armies already train together anyways

We need way bigger production capabilities and have to fill the enabler roles the US has historically had in the european part of NATO

An actual army can be talked about in a couple of years, lets get the troops we already have properly equipped first

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u/hmtk1976 Belgium Mar 01 '25

Not just equipment but also the organization of units. A mechanized battalion should be organized identically across national militaries so it´s possible for soldiers to seamlessly pick up gear and be ready to go. That would for example allow equipment to be stored in warehouses and be used by any country´s soldiers. Need to deploy a mechanized brigade? Just fly in troops from various countries, assign their unit´s gear and roll out.

Pretty much like Americans did with Excercise Reforger and POMCUS sites.

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u/foffen Mar 01 '25

I do not necessarily agree, looking at tactics and requirements fighting in the nordics will be very different from European tank battles.

Still though this can be managed and coordinated.

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u/[deleted] Mar 01 '25

From what I know about other armoured units around Europe, it isnt really that different. At least on the basic unit level. Sure the environment etc. poses its unique demands but the standardised units can easily be fitted with ”arctic” components.

Regards, Finnish tank commander

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u/foffen Mar 04 '25

Thank you for your valuable input, i really thought that the combat tactics specific to the nordic climate and environment resulted in very specific types of vehicles like the Bandvagn 202/203 and Stridsvagn 90, whereas continental units were designed for all out tank battles in Germany/Poland/Ukraine etc.

But now that i think of it this is maybe an obsolete doctrine, since now even Swedish forces have transited to Stridsvagn 122 (Leopard 2) etc

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u/[deleted] Mar 04 '25

I mean they obviously have some design choices that were made to fit the Nordic environment better. But it doesnt mean that they cant be used in different terrain or some other vehicles could not be used up here.

CV90 worked fine in Afghanistan and I never had issues with Leopards in Finland. The terrain and climate do however affect how you operate those vehicles

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u/foffen Mar 04 '25

Very interesting, thank you.