MILEX 26

MILEX tests the EU's readiness to respond to a crisis with military forces. For the past number of years the EU has been conducting military exercises called MILEX to test the effectiveness of military command structures and procedures during crisis management exercises.

This year's EU Military Exercise is MILEX 26 and consists of.

Crisis Response Planning (CRP), Alert System Exercise (ALERTEX) and Information Briefing (26 Feb-13MAR26)
RDC LIVEX 26 - Deployment Exercise (DEPLOYEX):
- Multinational Detailed Deployment Plan (MNDDP) (23-27MAR26)
- Strategic Deployment and Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOM-I) (24MAY-14JUN26)
- Communications Exercise (COMMEX) (03-05JUN26)
- Battle Staff Training (BST) (06-09JUN26) Command Post Exercise (CPX) (10-16JUN26)
- Combat Enhancement Training (CET) (10-16JUN26)
- DVDay (18 JUN26)

The EU has been conducting military exercises in crisis management since 2002. In keeping with the guidelines set out in the Strategic Compass, the EU is now conducting more regular exercises, including live exercises.

Factsheet about Milex/Livex 25

Questions people always ask about Milex

Frequently asked questions about Milex

What is Milex?

Milex is an annual training exercise to test and improve the EU’s Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC). Member States contribute forces to the Milex exercise every year. Milex shows the EU can project force worldwide.

What is the RDC?

The Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC) is a force of up to 5 000 military personnel for crisis response outside the EU. Member States contribute land, air and maritime forces for rapid rescue, evacuation, humanitarian and stabilisation missions.

The RDC replaces and builds upon the EU Battlegroup concept. It is mandated under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Does the EU have an army?

No, the EU does not have its own army or military forces. However, the European Union does have a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) that facilitates cooperation between the military forces of Member States. Within CSDP, EU military action is taken by combined EU forces.

To discover what it is and why it is important, follow the link to learn more about the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

MILEX 25 tests EU's crisis response tactics

Crisis response and rapid deployment capabilities challenged

The European Union Crisis Management Military Exercise (MILEX) is the EU's premier annual military exercise. It is designed to enhance the EU’s crisis management and rapid deployment capabilities.

MILEX25 saw forces from 13 EU Member States training together in Hungary. The exercise presented a complex strategic synchronisation challenge, from a strategic deployment transitioning to a standard field training exercise.

MILEX also serves to validate the EU's military readiness. MILEX25 is evidence that EU has made significant progress as a security provider.

Follow the link to read the full story of MILEX 25