LIVEX26: EU carries out fourth live military exercise to test the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity

The European Union is carrying out its fourth "Live Exercise" (LIVEX26) in Zaragoza, Spain, from 24 May to 18 June. This exercise aims to test and improve the EU’s readiness and ability to quickly respond to crisis through its Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC).

This multinational exercise will be conducted under the command of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC). A total of 2,500 soldiers from 13 EU Member States* will participate. The exercise includes moving troops across Europe to the training site in Zaragoza. The goal of the exercise is to improve interoperability in planning and conducting operations across all levels:

-    At the strategic level: the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) as the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) based in Brussels.

-    At the operation level: the Force Headquarters (FHQ) which is made up of personnel from Eurocorps and is deployed in the Zaragoza training area.

-    At the tactical level: the Spanish-led EU Battlegroup (EUBG26) is deployed in the Zaragoza training area. Spain contributes with the Core Battlegroup.

On 18 June, the Distinguished Visitors Day will display a live-fire demonstration of forces deployed in response to a fictional crisis scenario. The programme will feature demonstrations of the Forward Headquarters and the capabilities of EUBG26, including combat vehicles, such as armoured vehicles, helicopters, fighter jets and drones, 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.

The Miliary Exercise (MILEX26) commenced with an Alert Exercise (ALERTEX) from the 26 February to 13 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.

The exercise trains the MPCC as the Operational Headquarters (OHQ), personnel from Eurocorps as the Force Headquarters (FHQ) and the Spanish-led EU Battlegroup (EUBG26) for the early planning and execution phase of an independent EU Crisis Management Operation using the EU RDC.

*Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain, Romania, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Sweden.