ABSTRACT: In this dissertation, the question as to what extent European Defense Integration needs to be enhanced will be discussed. Initially, Europe's slow-paced defense integration process will be overviewed briefly from the end of World War II to the creation of CSDP. Then, with the crises in Libya, Syria and Ukraine, it will be indicated that CSDP was unable to generate a common defense policy. The EUGS will be reviewed to point out why the EU introduced the strategic autonomy as an objective. The problems of PESCO, EDF and any other relevant defense initiatives that followed the announcement of EUGS to deliver strategic autonomy will be examined. As a result, creation of an army at a supranational level within the EU will be suggested as a solution for obtaining strategic autonomy in order to assure a credible CSDP. In the meantime, difficulties and disputes pertaining to a European Army will be pointed out. Based on that, it will be suggested that the idea of a European Army is not possible in the near term, but should remain on the political agenda of the EU as a long-term objective for acquiring strategic autonomy at full spectrum in order to be a security provider as a major international player with a European identity.