Introduction

From the 8 April to the 3 May planners from the MPCC, together with EUROCORPS in Strasbourg, were busy exercising for the deployment of the EUs Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC) to an exercise scenario outside of EU borders.

Context

The Strategic Compass for Security and Defence outlines that by 2025, an EU RDC allowing for a swift deployment of a modular force of up to 5000 troops in a non-permissive environment, will be fully operational. The MPCC, as the preferred headquarters for these operations, will also be fully operational. Delivering on the Strategic Compass, regular live EU military exercises with the progressive involvement of the MPCC enhance the EU’s capacity to act to external conflicts and crisis.

OPLAN

On Friday 3 May the Crisis Response Planning Phase of the exercise concluded with the presentation of the Operations Plan (OPLAN). The OPLAN is the formal plan developed for military armed forces and their supporting elements to conduct joint military operations. In the context of MILEX 24, the OPLAN outlines the deployment of an EU Rapid Reaction Force to a fictional country called Seglia.

Member States Support

MILEX 24 is the culmination of many months of detailed planning and preparation which entails the use of military forces and capabilities of EU Member States. This exercise is only possible because of the continuous support and contributions of EU Member States. Over the last four weeks the MPCC was augmented by 33 personnel from Member States, two liaison officers from EUROCORPS, and six mentors. As the MPCC moves towards full operational capacity by 2025, these positions will be filled on a full time basis. Meanwhile in Strasbourg, a EUROCORPS planning team was also operational. Additional supports from Member States were also on hand to provide support, if required.

Following the presentation of the OPLAN, the Director General European Union Military Staff (DGEUMS) Lieutenant General Michiel van der Laan hosted a farewell ceremony to specifically thank the Augmentees for their valuable contributions to MILEX 24.

EUMS

Lt Gen van der Laan addresses the MILEX 24 Augmentees at the conclusion of MILEX 24.

Directing Staff

As with every exercise, a Directing Staff is required to plan and supervise the conduct of the exercise. The Concept and Capabilities Directorate of the EUMS commenced planning MILEX 24 back in 2023. The Exercise Planning Team and Directing Staff consisted of a team of experts from the EUMS Intelligence, Operations, Logistics and CIS Directorates, ably assisted by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and Gender subject matter experts (SMEs).

The Directing Staff were further supplemented by the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), International Partnerships (INTPA) and our partners at the United Nations (UN), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (HybridCOE).

Working together, ‘Exercise Injects’ were prepared, inserted and further developed. This process required careful planning and consideration by the MPCC and greatly enhanced the realism of the exercise but also tested the MPCC’s operational processes and dissemination of information to the FHQ

Live Exercises  – The Way Ahead

With the implementation of the Strategic Compass, the EU has embraced live exercises (LIVEX) as a crucial element in how we further enhance our readiness, adaptability and versatility in preparing for and responding to future crisis. LIVEX also represents the EU’s need for common training and exercises of its personnel to test and validate its concepts, procedures and tactics. 

A Look Forward - EU RDC LIVEX

Connected to MILEX 24, is the EU RDC LIVEX, which will be conducted in Bergen, Germany, between 26 November and 10 December 2024. During the EU RDC LIVEX, the Operations Headquarters (OHQ) will once again be situated in the MPCC in Brussels, while the Force Headquarters (FHQ) will be situated at EUROCORPS in Strasbourg, France. The EU RDC LIVEX will focus on the execution of the OPLAN developed during this Crisis Response Planning Phase.

The German-led Exercise EUROPEAN CHALLENGE 2024 will provide the platform for the conduct of the EU RDC LIVEX. This live exercise will train EU Battlegroup Force Package 25, as the Rapid Response Force tailored to a Military Rapid Response Operation, for a predefined scenario, in this case the fictional country of Seglia.

Strengthening the Rapid Deployment Capacity

MILEX 24 will strengthen the EU RDC by testing our readiness and capacity to respond quickly and decisively to external conflicts. Exercises promote cohesion and unity of effort and identify areas for improvement and in this regard, the EU will be better prepared to respond to external threats to EU security and therefore the protection of EU citizens, EU values and EU interests.

EUMS