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Multinational Solutions versus Intra-Alliance Specialization
Rachel Lutz Ellehuus
Abstract
This analysis focuses on possible multinational solutions aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and cost efficiency of multinational operations.
All things being equal, multinational forces are less effective than purely national forces of a similar size. However, multinational operations have the advantage of potential greater strength in numbers and additional capabilities when several states cooperate.
For that reason, nations with relatively large defense industries have less incentive to specialize, since the whole idea of specialization is rationalizing. Small nations with small defense industries gain international influence by specializing if this means that larger nations become dependent on them.
Within NATO, macro level role specialization would be the most effective way of securing rationalization. But macro level role specialization requires that nations stop producing certain kinds of capabilities to be able to produce more of other capabilities.
Role specialization at a macro level is irreversible. In reality, even NATO members are not ready to accept the interdependence which is a precondition for role specialization.
So even though the end of the Cold War and the change toward unipolarity represent a unique opportunity for increased multinational cooperation within NATO, macro level role specialization is not likely to occur within alliances, though minor partners may choose to specialize.
In the future, it is more likely that nations will engage in multinational solutions, for instance within NATO and the EU, without opting for macro level role specialization as such.
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