EPA/ GETTY The EU paved the way for its own army as Macron and Merkel pushed for a common European defence

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EU leaders agreed a weapons fund, shared financing for battlegroups and agreed on a coalition of the willing to conduct more missions abroad. A senior diplomat said the proposals were so popular at the European Council meeting that the plan was agreed after just “five minutes” of discussion. The move will also allow EU nations to push for joint military action without the agreement of all members. France, Germany, Italy and Spain pushed for the plans with French President Emmanuel Macron, who threw his weight behind a common European defence during his election campaign, branding the steps “historic”.

This is an example of an area where we have moved very fast in the last couple of months and achieved significant progress German Chancellor Angela Merkel

He said: "The conclusions that were adopted a few moments ago in defence are up to the job. We must consider the historic nature of this.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “This is an example of an area where we have moved very fast in the last couple of months and achieved significant progress.” The European Commission will allocate £1.3billion (€1.5billion) a year for the defence fund. The money will help develop and buy helicopters, drones and an array of weaponry.

EU Summit 2017: Best pictures Fri, June 23, 2017 European heads of states and governments gather for a two-days European Council meeting which will mainly 'focus on the ongoing efforts to strengthen the European Union and protect its citizens through the work on counterterrorism, security and defence, external borders, illegal migration and economic development' Play slideshow EPA 1 of 37 German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) give a press conference at the end of the second day of the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, 23 June 2017

EU officials insisted national governments will own the equipment with the fund expected to generate £4.8bn (€5.5bn) a year after 2020 if enough EU member states opt in. Leaders in Brussels gave their governments three months to say whether they would be willing to join a coalition of EU members to launch missions in the future and under what terms. Ms Merkel said: "We have set ourselves an ambitious timeline. Three months is not a long time. "This is a real added value, because it allows us to conduct missions... we will see who joins this structure.”

European Council President Donald Tusk said: “Our aim is for it to be ambitious and inclusive, so every EU country is invited to join. Within three months, member states will agree a common list of criteria and commitments, together with concrete capability projects, in order to take this cooperation off the ground.” With Britain, which has long opposed an ambitious European defence policy amid fears of an EU army, on the brink of leaving the EU, Germany and France have seized the opportunity to bolster the bloc. Germany is emerging as France's biggest partner and both want to see reforms across the bloc's defence industry, which many EU officials say wastes money. But Ms Merkel insisted the defence fund will not undermine NATO.

REUTERS French President Emmanuel Macron said the defence plan was "historic"

EPA German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted the defence fund will not undermine NATO

She said: “Everyone stressed today that an orderly common set-up of defence structures should not occur in opposition to NATO but the contrary — in collaboration with it. However, within the EU there is the possibility to integrate much more those member states that are not members of NATO.” European Parliament President Antonio Tajani also called for ongoing co-operation with the UK. He said: “It’s important to keep collaboration with the UK in fields such as terrorism and defence. Let’s not forget the UK remains a NATO member.” The plans come as the bloc faces a growing range of security threats, from Islamic State militants to a more assertive, hostile Russia which has seized territory in Ukraine.

EPA Britain has long opposed an ambitious European defence policy