The European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative

The European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative

DECLARATION OF INTENTION

BETWEEN

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

AND

THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN

AND NORTHERN IRELAND

AND

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC

AND

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN

AND

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

AND

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

AND

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM

AND

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE PROTUGESE REPUBLIC

AND

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC

REGARDING

THE EUROPEAN CARRIER GROUP INTEROPERABILITY INITIATIVE

The Minister of Defence of the French Republic
The Secretary of State of Defence of the United Kingdom and the Northern Ireland
The Minister of Defence of the Italian Republic
The Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Spain
The Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany
The Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Belgium
The Minister of Defence of the Portuguese Republic
The Minister of Defence of the Hellenic Republic
Hereinafter referred to as “the Participants”
Due to their common membership to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
Considering the European Union Treaty (article 17)
Wishing to improve European power projection capability
Considering that greater co-operation in the field of carrier strike warfare will increase the effectiveness of mutual defence activity,
Declare their intention to establish a European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative:

1. Objective of the Initiative.
This initiative’s objective is to enable the generation of a combined European maritime strike capability, when required for multinational, EU or NATO operations, through the development of multinational interoperability.
1.1. Aim: The aim of the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative (ECGII, hereinafter « the Initiative ») is to enhance the ability of European Navies and associated Air Groups to interoperate in a multinational Carrier Strike Group.
1.2. Definition: For the purpose of the initiative, a Carrier Strike Group is defined as an Aircraft carrier complemented by its associated air groups, which could be augmented by escort ships and more specifically air defence and anti-submarine warfare units and submarines. This additional force should also entail combat service support assets. Carrier air groups would include airborne early warning and control platforms, air refuelling means, combat search and rescue units, and logistic and liaison support means.
1.3. Assumptions:
a. Nothing in this Declaration affects the right of a Participant to conduct national operations or operations in conjunction with other countries.
b. No Participant should dilute existing national capability in pursuit of the development of the Initiative.
c. Participants will maintain existing bilateral and multilateral links with other capable nations. In particular the transatlantic link remains fundamental if European Naval forces are to maintain interoperability with the US.
d. For purposes of the initiative it should be assumed by the Working Group that the forces indicated in the EU force catalogue 2006 based on the Headline Goal questionnaire and its updates as well as in the NATO Defence Planning Questionnaire indicate possible European deployable capability.
e. Any operational findings, tactics or procedures are to be coherent with NATO operational doctrine regardless of the multinational structure chosen to gather national elements.
2. Cooperation between Participants.
2.1. The Participants will seek to establish greater co-operation between the naval forces including air groups they might wish to commit to operations so that in time of crisis they can operate together. The underpinning principle is to improve different Participants’ ability to feed assets into a composite Carrier Strike Group in support of multi-national, EU and NATO operational commitments. Moreover, the Initiative should seek to maximise the benefits from different Participants contributing to this composite carrier strike capability. Those Participants who wish to do so and declare it, could, in the longer term, work on coordinating activity, maintenance and training programmes for their major units and air groups.
2.2. The Participants will consider improving co-operation through a more effective use of existing structures, the use of dialogue to establish common operational and tactical practices and procedures, bilateral relationships and the establishment of a framework of liaison points for dialogue at unit, formation and HQ level as appropriate.
2.3. The Participants will consider improving forces’ availability and interoperability through the exchange of information in respect of activity, maintenance and training programmes for major units and air groups. This information exchange will also extend to operational concepts and procedures, and combat service support, together with operational and technological development, to ensure future interoperability. Given funding constraints Participants should seek to maximise existing training opportunities to develop the initiative.
3. Implementation of the Initiative.
3.1. The Participants will nominate representatives to form a 1 Star Steering Group which will meet at least annually and report to appropriate national authorities.
3.2. The work of the Steering Group will be taken forward by a Working Group at functional staff level which will meet biannually or as otherwise decided by the Steering Group.
3.3. The Initiative will be taken forward on a multinational basis between the Participants. Through its chairman, the Steering Group will liaise with and inform the EU and NATO as the Initiative progresses.
4. Participation criteria.
For reasons of military efficiency, participants must be able to contribute significant operational capability. Hence participation will depend on the following criteria:
a. Possession of an aircraft carrier and its associated air group,
or
Possession of escort units able to undertake air defence or anti-submarine defence duties of an aircraft carrier;
or
Possession of Afloat Support capabilities.
b. Ability of naval forces to demonstrate operational sustainability in any potential theatre of operation ;
c. Possession of an integrated command and control capability tailored to exercise the command of a carrier group,
or
Show the manning and savoir faire required to exercise responsibilities within the staff exercising this command.
5. Involvement of other countries.
5.1. All EU member states and European NATO allies may join the Initiative as Participants, providing they fulfil the criteria at paragraph 4.
5.2. Other countries may be invited to be involved in the Initiative occasionally, with the mutual consent of all existing Participants.
6. Financial arrangements.
6.1. This Declaration imposes no other financial obligation on the Participants, save that each Participant will be responsible for funding the costs it incurs in its own interests related to the implementation of the Declaration.

Signed in Brussels on 10 November 2008
The Minister of Defence of the French Republic
The Secretary of State of Defence of the United Kingdom and the Northern Ireland
The Minister of Defence of the Italian Republic
The Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Spain
The Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany
The Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
The Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Belgium
The Minister of Defence of the Portuguese Republic
The Minister of Defence of the Hellenic Republic