Although the issue of a common defence policy has been around since the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, there has been little evidence of movement towards an autonomous collective force until the current EU French presidency.
The French surprised other member-states by the vigour and determination with which they have progressed the issue of Europe's joint military force. After the December 15th summit at the end of its presidency of the European Union, the French will have confirmed the core (initially) 140-strong EU military staff head quarters in Brussels.
A German general, Lieut Gen Klaus Schuwirth, has been appointed to head the union's new military staff. Brig Gen Frank McKevitt has been appointed to head the Defence Forces' representation with the formative Rapid Reaction Force (RRF). Two colonels and a lieutenant colonel have already been appointed to the staff and are in Brussels.
The Irish officers will liaise closely with four other senior Irish officers already posted to Brussels in other military liaison posts including the NATO-led Partnership for Peace and the Western European Union.
As part of the preparations for the RRF, the Defence College in the Curragh has stepped up its language training with the emphasis on French and German.
It now seems certain the so-called headline goal of establishing the RRF by the end of 2003 will be met - and surpassed. The goal is for a force of 60,000 with the capability to move into operation in any major crisis anywhere in the world within 60 days.
Rather than a standing force of 60,000, the 15 EU states have already committed force strengths totalling around 100,000. Turkey has also expressed a desire to be involved as have Eastern European countries seeking EU membership. The total commitments made by EU heads of state in Brussels earlier this month amounted to 100,000 troops, 400 combat aircraft and 100 warships. Germany has offered 18,000 servicemen. Belgium has promised a 3,000strong mechanised brigade; a squadron of F 16 combat aircraft and a number of naval vessels. Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria and Spain have also announced contributions ranging from 1,000 to 6,000 troops. The only country to opt out is Denmark.
Speaking in Paris recently, the French Minister for Defence, Alain Richard, reiterated his view that the RRF would have global capability. He said movement on the force was the main success of the French presidency.
He also indicated that European states would need to consider increased defence spending. Almost every country had used the post Cold War period to rationalise defence structures and cut expenditure.
Figures compiled by military analysts show Europe is far behind the US in military capital expenditure. The US spends approximately $60,000 on military hardware for each soldier. The average per EU soldier is about one third of US spending. Much of the debate in other EU countries has centred on the prospect of the Rapid Reaction Force usurping NATO's position in Europe and breaking the military link with the US.
The former British prime minister Mrs Thatcher stepped into this row two weeks ago, saying the RRF would damage NATO and threaten Western security. Her position was challenged by the NATO Secretary General and the UK's EU Commissioner, Chris Patten.
The NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, said: "There is no reason why this should be a threat to NATO. Americans want the Europeans to do more. This is the way Europeans can do more to address problems in their own backyard."
The French Defence Minister also dismissed claims there was a plot to undermine the European-US military relationship in NATO. Mr Richard said: "The question is whether this is a plot or simply the result of rational assessment. If you are really stupid, maybe, there is a plot. If you have a normal mind, we have been assessing what is realistic."
Mr Richard was also insistent on the democratic control of the RRF within the group of 15 EU states. Each state will have a veto on operations. All 15 ministers of defence and chiefs of staff will meet regularly to discuss and define its roles.
The strengthening of Euro defence structures could suit the incoming US administration if it seeks to reduce military commitment to Europe. Sources in NATO have indicated the US could cut its forces in Europe to 10,000 from existing levels of 150,000. It could also reduce its commitment to Kosovo where it commands the Kfor peacekeeping force.
There has been considerable speculation about the military commitment needed to field the envisaged 60,000-strong crisis management force. One of France's joint military leaders said the RRF will need what he described as an initial reservoir of 120,000 military personnel if it is to be capable of facing a substantial crisis management or humanitarian relief operation.
The Joint Chief of Staff of the defence forces, Gen Jean-Pierre Kelche, said more than 40,000 EU troops are already committed to peacekeeping in Bosnia and Kosovo. He said: "It is not enough to supply 60,000 men. Forty thousand European troops are already in the Balkans. That is more than 100,000 we need immediately. We are going to have to go beyond that."
He said the likely commitment of 120,000 would be needed to have troops training and in reserve while others serve in crisis management operations.
The general also said there were "strategic deficiencies" in the proposed RRF that would need to be defined and identified. This included the provision of satellite intelligence systems and "strategic lift" aircraft which can move large numbers of troops and equipment over thousands of miles. The French are upgrading their spy satellite system, Helios. One of the European options for a strategic lift aircraft is the Airbus 400 military version of the wide-bodied passenger aircraft.
The Republic of Ireland is one of four non-NATO countries which have promised to participate in the RRF. The others are Austria, Finland and Sweden. As well as the liaison officers detailed to Brussels, there is a European sub-section staff, under command of a lieutenant colonel at Defence Forces HQ in Dublin. Its function is to oversee the movement towards RRF involvement.
The Defence Forces' role has yet to be defined fully. It is expected there will be 15 brigades (each with around 3,000 troops) in the RRF when it deploys. There is an expectation that the Defence Forces will supply one light-arms only infantry battalion of around 750 to 800 with a support element in the rear of 50 to 60. The battalion would be equipped with the Mowag armoured personnel carriers, delivery of which begins in the new year. The battalion might also have two troop-carrying helicopters.
As all RRF missions will be UN-mandated, the Government's position is that involvement will constitute the State's commitment to UN peacekeeping duties.
However, the Defence Forces have been cut from 13,500 to 10,750 in recent years and still have a considerable commitment to the UN, as well as having to fulfil their traditional commitment to the State, expressed as providing "aid to the civil power" - duties such as protection of cash and explosives.
And so there is still uncertainty about the Defence Forces being able to meet the requirements of the RRF.