Though it is scarcely mentioned in political and media debates, Asia has a central importance for Europe. This is explicitly acknowledged in the latest version of the EU Global Strategy report, published in 2016: “There is a direct connection between European prosperity and Asian security. In light of the economic weight that Asia represents for the EU – and vice versa – peace and stability in Asia are prerequisite for our prosperity.” As an aspiring global actor that advocates for the peaceful resolution of conflict, promotes human rights, and calls for the respect of international law and freedom of navigation, the EU has to monitor Asia’s security landscape. Its most prominent interest in the region is probably the South China Sea (SCS) dispute, as it is the transit area of the sea lanes of communication (SLOC) that are vital for trade between Europe and East Asia.

But in practice, Asia occupies a secondary role in the Union’s foreign policy, which is much more focused on Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Moreover, the EU has very limited means with which to act in Asia because of the great distances that need to be covered. The EU does not have a full-fledged military at its disposal (only Battlegroups, battalion-size units that can be used for crisis management missions), and decisions on the Common Foreign and Security Policy require a hardly-achievable unanimity in order to be taken. As such, the bloc can only act via its member states, but they normally act with little coordination and on the basis of their own national interests. This is also the case for the main tool through which the Union – or rather its member states – can influence Asia’s security dynamic: arms sales.

Impact

To understand how Europeans are affecting the regional order in Asia, we will examine the most significant deliveries of military hardware in recent years according to the SIPRI database.

India stands out as the top buyer, with France being its main supplier. It has bought six Scorpène class diesel-electric attack submarines (local designation: Kalvari class) that are being built in India under license. These units have been designed to minimize their acoustic signature and can be equipped with an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system that enables them to stay submerged three times longer than normal, thus increasing their survivability. India has also bought 36 Exocet anti-ship missiles to arm the submarines. But France has also supplied India with modern jets. Recently, it sold 36 Rafale 4th-generation multirole fighters plus an array of missiles to equip them. France also concluded a contract to upgrade 49 Mirage 2000H to the improved Mirage 2000-5 standard, with most of the work to be performed in India. These aircrafts are particularly important, since it is believed that their tasks include nuclear strike missions. Finally, together with Germany, the French are supplying thousands of MILAN anti-tank missiles. On their own, the Germans provide the diesel engines for the six Scorpène/Kalvari class submarines and the ACTAS anti-submarine warfare sonar that will equip twelve different warships. Italy is supplying four 76-mm Super Rapid naval guns and most notably the RAN-40L air search radar that will equip one of India’s main strategic assets, namely the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier.

Australia is another important arms market for EU countries in the Indo-Pacific. Again, France plays a major role. It won a $38 billion commission for the construction (in Australia) of twelve Shortfin Barracuda class attack submarines (locally named Attack class), basically diesel-electric versions of the French nuclear-propelled Barracuda class that will present several noise-reduction features and possibly an AIP system. France will also supply torpedoes, sonars for anti-submarine helicopters and radars for frigates; as well as air-refueling systems in cooperation with the UK. For their part, the British will provide nine Hunter class frigates; while Spain will build three Hobart class destroyers and Germany will deliver a large batch of land vehicles.