Isabella Antinozzi

Black added that while the leak indicates continuing tension within the ‘complex and highly political negotiations’, it does not necessarily signal the collapse of the partnership. Isabella Antinozzi, research analyst for defence, industries and society at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), agreed. ‘My take is that it's not necessarily a false leak,' Antinozzi said. 'It's not an unfounded decision, but for now I wouldn't exclude that it's come out to make headlines and, thereby, gain more leverage in conversations with France.'

RUSI research analyst, defence, industries and society, Isabella Antinozzi told Shephard that not much is known about the specifics of EICACS, but it will be linked to the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project called EU Collaborative Warfare Capabilities (ECoWAR).‘One could probably look at ECoWAR’s governance and modus operandi to have an idea of how the EICACS consortium would operate,’ she said.‘ECoWAR, just like most PESCO projects, is a forum where countries' representatives can identify needs for capabilities and future doctrines of use, as well as the bricks needed to build collaborative combat.’