A more capable EU? Assessing the role of the EU’s institutions in defence capability development

Are EU institutions able to perform their preferred role within
defence capability development? Highlighting increased demands
for�a stronger EU role in security, we explore how EU institutions
have promoted their role within CSDP. Using role theory, we
investigate the European Commission, the EDA, the EEAS and
the European Parliament’s ability to promote pooled and shared
defence resources in European capability development. We argue
that this depends on the combination of the alignment of their
original role treaty/design-based mandate with the role they perceive
having; the role expectations of the big three Member States
(Germany, France, UK); and the changing international environment,
which may alter both role perceptions and role expectations.
We find that the Commission and the EEAS have managed
on occasion to promote pooled and shared defence resources
overcoming Member State objections, showing autonomy in creating
increased defence capability independently of MS leading to
more integration within CSDP.