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13 Nov 25. The European Union wants its own intelligence branch. The European Union is working to establish an intelligence unit under Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a move that could raise questions about the division of sovereignty between national capitals and Brussels on a key national security issue. The idea was first reported by the Financial Times on Nov. 11 and subsequently confirmed to other publications by EU spokespeople. The new unit will aim to better coordinate intelligence information collected by national services and the European Union itself. This would help inform joint positions as the EU maneuvers on the global stage, the proposal goes. An EU spokesperson told the German press agency DPA that the plans were still in a “very embryonic” stage and that the final unit would likely consist only of a handful of experts recruited from national agencies. No specific timeline has been set yet, according to a commission spokesperson cited by FT. The plan, which Financial Times reports has not yet been coordinated with the EU’s 27 member countries, is likely to bring fierce debate about authorities and sovereignty. The EU already has an intelligence unit, which is housed in its External Action Service — effectively, the bloc’s foreign ministry — whose officials are reportedly opposed to the idea of the new unit directly under von der Leyen. They have voiced concerns that the office may duplicate the work of their Intelligence and Situation Centre. National security is explicitly reserved as a national issue under the EU’s key treaties. While the war in Ukraine has provided an impetus for European integration in defense, member countries’ capitals continue to guard these areas of sovereignty. Pushback from member states seems likely, not least because intelligence sharing has long been a touchy subject given the differing political allegiances across the bloc, with some members maintaining at least lukewarm relations with Russia. (Source: Defense News)
10 Nov 25. Italian Navy leads NATO maritime presence in Mediterranean. Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), led by the Italian Navy, has begun a new operational phase in the Mediterranean Sea after departing Taranto, Italy, as part of NATO’s ongoing maritime security operations. SNMG2 is one of four permanent multinational maritime task groups that make up the Alliance’s high-readiness Allied Reaction Force. Operating under NATO’s Allied Maritime Command in Northwood, UK, the group maintains a continuous presence across the Mediterranean to support freedom of navigation, deter potential threats, and enhance regional cooperation. Commanded since July by Rear Admiral Francesco Iavazzo of the Italian Navy, SNMG2 currently consists of the Italian frigate ITS Carlo Bergamini, the Canadian frigate HMCS St. John’s, and the Spanish support ship ESPS Cantabria. Its multinational staff includes officers from Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. According to NATO, the group’s deployment reinforces collective security and provides an immediately available maritime force capable of responding to crises. Rear Admiral Iavazzo said the activity at sea “demonstrates NATO’s capability to operate as one integrated multinational force” and sends “a clear signal of Allied cohesion, determination and readiness.” SNMG2 has conducted patrols and joint exercises throughout the Mediterranean in recent months, including engagements with partners in North Africa. A recent visit to Alexandria, Egypt, underlined NATO’s long-running cooperation with Mediterranean Dialogue countries, a partnership forum launched in 1994 that includes Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.
“Partnerships matter,” Iavazzo said. “Egypt’s regional experience and security expertise make it a valuable partner. Stability, security and cooperation in the Mediterranean are in everyone’s interest.” (Source: UKDJ)
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Founded in 1987, Exensor Technology is a world leading supplier of Networked Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) Systems providing tailored sensor solutions to customers all over the world. From our Headquarters in Lund Sweden, our centre of expertise in Network Communications at Communications Research Lab in Kalmar Sweden and our Production site outside of Basingstoke UK, we design, develop and produce latest state of the art rugged UGS solutions at the highest quality to meet the most stringent demands of our customers. Our systems are in operation and used in a wide number of Military as well as Homeland Security applications worldwide. The modular nature of the system ensures any external sensor can be integrated, providing the user with a fully meshed “silent” network capable of self-healing. Exensor Technology will continue to lead the field in UGS technology, provide our customers with excellent customer service and a bespoke package able to meet every need.
A CNIM Group Company
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