Instead of hiding behind America’s military shield, Europe needs to spend on arms to protect its security interests, according to Nick Witney.

A landmark European peacekeeping mission had to be funded by a whip-round of staff and a loan from a British ambassador’s entertainment budget, a damning report on Europe’s joint defence efforts revealed today.

Britain and France clashed today over the budget of the European armaments agency.

European Union defence ministers adopted a plan today to open up their €30bn arms industry to increased cross-border competition – a landmark move designed to cut costs for tight military budgets.

European Union nations are expected agree next week to open up their €30bn armaments market to more cross-border competition.