European Union Military Staff (EUMS) Hosts Force Generation Conferences: Strengthening Europe's Capability to Act
The conference was marked by extensive discussions focusing on the advancement of the Rapid Response Forces. Delegates representing Member States reaffirmed their contributions through 2031, confirming their readiness in contributing to the unique military strategic reserve of the EU.
RDC3 Secretary, Lt Col Kai SCHLEGEL, emphasized the importance of predictability in the provision of Rapid Response Forces, stating, "The commitments and affirmed offers made during this conference demonstrate Member States resolve to uphold common security measures, embrace structural solutions for force planning, and maintain readiness without compromising national sovereignty."
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Rear Admiral Ignacio CUARTERO LORENZO, EUMS Director of Concepts and Capabilities, delivers the welcoming address at RDC3
Key Outcomes of RDC3 2/2025:
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Member States Commitments: Czech Republic, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain lead as Framework Nations for different Rapid Response Force packages, with various member states and like-minded partners confirming their participation until 2031.
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Strategic Coordination: Member States actively engaged in strengthening structural solutions for efficient force planning, focusing on avoiding force provision gaps.
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Modules and Enablers: Pre-identification of additional modules and strategic enablers ensures diverse operational capabilities.
The road ahead for the EU Military Rapid Deployment Capacity includes exploiting the operationalisation of the capacity and structurally testing and demonstrating its capabilities during exercises with the focus on force activation and rapid strategic deployment.
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In the context of ongoing missions and operations, the Rapid Response Force provides an essential layer of reassurance. The allocation of resources for ongoing operations and missions was a central topic at the 24th GFGC. During this event, Member States and Third States collaborated to determine their respective contributions. Major Andelina VUKADIN, Secretary of the GFGC, emphasized the need for unified efforts and adequate resource allocation: "Ensuring that Member States commitments are met with strategic synchronization and sufficient resources is crucial for maintaining effective operations and missions”.
Next Steps and Future Outlook:
The next Conference (RDC3) is scheduled for March 2026. In anticipation, Member States are urged to provide preliminary offers and commitments, strengthening the Union's readiness and operational seamlessness. Fair burden sharing and mutual support are key factors in sustaining this unique tool for military crisis management embedded into the Integrated Approach.
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