Towards European Strategic Autonomy? The Current Chances and Challenges of Franco-German Armament Cooperation

Abstract

The next generation air and land combat system programmes initiated in 2017 by France and Germany are not only of high importance for the Franco-German cooperation but would also represent a major step towards European strategic autonomy. However, the armament cooperation is hampered by a number of fault-lines that could easily lead to the failure of the programmes and the discrediting of the Franco-German tandem and European strategic autonomy. Our study examines the determinants of arms cooperation through theories of international relations and political economy. We conclude that armament programmes are crucially limited by strategic cultural and defence industrial differences, but certain systemic factors may still motivate the parties to implement them.