PeSCo: The German Perspective

PeSCo means different things to different political actors in Germany. Despite these differences, all the actors have fuelled an enormous enthusiasm about this project and have minimised criticism. Two elements shaped the particular German role in the PeSCo debate and explain its difference vis-a-vis other partners like France: the political enthusiasm about yet another project (PeSCo), and the political will to launch a project that can maintain the Union’s cohesion. Yet, while Germany celebrates PeSCo’s inclusive political dimension, it took a very pragmatic view for the military dimension: whatever PeSCo can contribute to national capabilities that are usable in EU and NATO is good. Berlin does not require the initial rounds of projects to be game changers in terms of capabilities but considers a success the fact that they allow testing the new EU-instruments, synchronising EU efforts, and getting as many EU States on board as possible. This means a double challenge for Germany: first, in terms of defence content: turning PeSCo from the necessary political “good news initiative” into one that delivers real capabilities. Second, in terms of defence politics: Germany still overestimates the diplomatic discourse on defence and underestimates the impression that real and available capabilities make – to partners and adversaries…