EU leaders say the 28-nation bloc's defence capabilities must be improved, to make military deployments more rapid and effective, BBC News reported.

In a joint statement in Brussels they called for the development of drones and air-to-air refuelling planes.

Earlier, UK Prime Minister David Cameron warned against attempts to give the EU - rather than NATO - a bigger role in co-ordinating defence policy.

It is the first EU summit for five years to examine defence policy.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who attended the talks, said military operations had also shown a need for more European heavy transport planes.

He played down differences between EU and NATO plans, saying: "I don't see any contradiction between strengthened defence in Europe and a stronger NATO."

But he added: "We're not talking about the EU possessing capabilities; there is a need for nations to do more to acquire much-needed military capabilities".