Only just making up the numbers? Understanding European small state participation in multilateral maritime security operations

This chapter examines how and why some European small states participate in multilateral maritime security operations despite domestic political constraints, their scale or even land-locked geography. Three quite different states (Luxembourg, Serbia and Bulgaria) are examined here in two contrasting maritime operations: the European Union (EU)s long-running anti-piracy mission off Somalia, Operation Atalanta, and the naval embargo as part of NATOs Libyan intervention in 2011, Operation Unified Protector. Luxembourg participated using contracted, private aircraft. Serbia sent troops as vessel protection detachments (VPDs). This type of deployment earned goodwill with the EU and easily fitted with their domestic security culture and policy constraints. Both countries were therefore closer to the domestic securitisation scenario explored in this volume. Because maritime operations are often less visible and controversial compared to committing land forces or airpower, they are attractive to small states who wish to participate by stealth, or more accurately to cherry-pick less controversial missions that will not upset domestic politics. This corresponds to Bulgarias deployment of a single vessel to the NATO-led Unified Protector. This chapter also reflects on why small states are important for maritime coalitions of the willing. Their value is more than just making up the numbers, although numbers surely matter. However, there is possible competition between them for inclusion considering how many European small states can play some useful role, or the numerous non-European small state navies as well. Ultimately, international maritime security operations attract very diverse small states, encouraging them to both think and act big.