Successful Coordination at RDC3 Advances EU Rapid Response and Force Generation

11.04.2025 Strategic Communications

Brussels, 11 April 2025 — The Rapid Deployment Capacity Coordination Conference (RDC3) took place from 08 to 09 April 2025 in Brussels, successfully bringing together EU Member States and partner Third States to strengthen coordination and coherence within the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Participants of RDC3 engage in operational planning sessions in Brussels.

The event was held back-to-back with the 23rd Global Force Generation Conference and the 2nd EU Civilian Missions Human Resources Capacity Generation Conference, fostering integrated planning and cooperation across the military and civilian domains.

The RDC3 conference enabled a shared understanding of available national and multinational capabilities, facilitating their alignment in time and space to support the EU’s Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC). It served as a platform to synchronise force planning, enhance cooperation, and improve readiness across participating entities.

Participants engaged in force planning sessions, matched capability offers to operational scenarios, and discussed horizontal enablers such as communication and strategic messaging, training and exercises, conceptual frameworks, financial mechanisms, and command and control (C2) structures. These topics are vital to building a more responsive, integrated, and professional EU Rapid Response capacity.

EUMS

The event also featured the active participation of the European Defence Agency (EDA), which contributed key insights into capability development and long-term planning, including perspectives on interoperability and joint force generation. In addition to strengthening the force flow mechanisms of the RDC architecture, the conference also addressed a critical operational need: the sustainment requirements of EU Rapid Response Forces. These discussions focused on ensuring that deployed elements can be supported over time with the necessary logistics, supplies, and support services—essential for effective and enduring operations.

The conference marked a further step in the professionalization of EU crisis response mechanisms, highlighting the benefits of transparency and shared planning amongst Member States, and collective readiness. The positive engagement across institutions and nations reflects a growing cohesion and common purpose in preparing the EU to act swiftly and effectively in an increasingly complex security environment.

The outcomes of RDC3 will inform upcoming operational planning cycles and help ensure that the EU continues to deliver on its ambitions as a capable and credible security actor.