The European Union is carrying out its third "Live Exercise" (LIVEX) in Pápa Airbase and Bakony Training Area, Hungary, from 25 March to 10 April.

The exercise prepares the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) as the Operational Headquarters (OHQ), Eurocorps as the Force Headquarters (FHQ) and the German-led EU Battlegroup (EUBG25) for the early planning and execution phase of an independent EU Crisis Management Operation using the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC).

This multinational exercise in Hungary will be conducted under the command of the MPCC and Eurocorps. A total of 850 soldiers from 13 EU Member States* will participate in the LIVEX. The exercise is designed to test interoperability in planning and conducting operations across all levels:

• Strategic Level: The Operations Headquarters in Brussels, directed by the MPCC.
• Operational Level: The Force Headquarters, under the leadership of Eurocorps, based mainly at Pápa Airbase and reinforced by a company providing force protection.
• Tactical Level: The EU Battlegroup (EUBG) deployed in Bakony Training Area. Germany contributes with the Core Battlegroup, led by the Mountain Infantry Battalion 231, along with medical components of a Medical Task Force and supported by a Combat Service Support Battalion.

On 10 April, the Distinguished Visitors Day will display the Reception, Staging, and Onward Movement (RSOM) of forces deployed in response to a fictional crisis scenario. The programme will feature demonstrations of the EUROCORPS Forward Headquarters and the capabilities of EUBG25, including combat vehicles and their crews.

Background

The Strategic Compass for Security and Defence emphasises the EU's commitment to being a stronger and more capable security provider, both in its neighbourhood and beyond. The EU Rapid Deployment Capacity framework enables rapid, robust, and effective responses to conflicts and crises outside its borders, involving up to 5,000 troops and integrating land, air, maritime, space, and cyber components. As part of these efforts, the EU is strengthening the MPCC as the preferred command and control structure for the EU RDC.

MILEX 25 commenced with an alert exercise (ALERTEX) from the 4 to 6 March, where the MPCC prepared the plan for a swift reaction of EU Member State’s military forces to a fictional crisis. This incorporated procedures from the political level all the way down to the tactical level.

*Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Spain and Sweden.