EU agrees on joint defence development

European Union defence ministers have agreed to push ahead with developing joint air-to-air refuelling technology and medical centres to save money

The refuelling project follows the air campaign in Libya last year when European air forces had to rely on the United States for in-flight support.

Twenty-six of the EU’s 27 member states – Denmark opts out of EU defence cooperation – yesterday declared their willingness to support and coordinate development of inflight technology and to make it available for EU, Nato and other operations.

Thirteen EU ministers also signed a declaration of intent to develop modular medical units - mobile facilities that can carry out resuscitation, X-rays and intensive care for both civilians and military personnel.