EU Battlegroups

EU Battlegroups are multinational, The European The European Way military units, usually composed of The complexity of contemporary 1500 personnel each and form an Union has always conflicts and crises requires a integral part of the ’s prided itself on its comprehensive approach which military rapid reaction capacity to addresses the multiple levels respond to emerging crises and soft power – and it and dimensions on which they conflicts around the world. Like will keep doing so, evolve. The EU has a unique mix of any decision relating to the EU’s instruments to tackle such complex Common Security and Defence because we are the challenges more effectively. Policy (CSDP) their deployment is best in this field. subject to a unanimous decision by There is a genuine European way the Council. Although Battlegroups However, the idea to resolving external conflicts and have been fully operational since crises. It is made of civilian and 2007 and have proven their value as that Europe is an military means, hard and soft power, a tool for defence cooperation and exclusively “civilian strategic autonomy and cooperation transformation, issues relating to with our partners, and includes political will, usability, and financial power” does not promoting human rights and good solidarity have prevented them do justice to an governance, entails investing in from being deployed. However, in strong societies, in education and recent months much progress has evolving reality. For development, and ensuring security been made to overcome these Europe, soft and and stability. hurdles – giving the Battlegroups renewed impetus and relevance. hard power go hand

A changing global geopolitical in hand. climate At a time when terrorism, hybrid threats, climate change, economic volatility and energy insecurity lead to violent conflicts around the High Representative of the Union for globe, closer European cooperation Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice- on defence and security is more President of the Commission important than ever.

5 October 2017 Battlegroups: one element of a than engaging at a later stage in wide variety of EU instruments fully fledged violent conflicts. In and capabilities to ensure the conjunction with a reliable early safety of European citizens warning system, EU Battlegroups and contribute to maintaining permit a targeted and rapid response international peace and to minimise human suffering and security insecurity. In a world of predictable Just as today’s security challenges unpredictability, reacting fast is cannot be faced with military means at times the only way to react alone, there are situations which effectively. cannot be resolved by only relying on humanitarian and development aid While Member States remain in the or diplomacy. There are situations in driving seat and are responsible for which a quick and decisive military deploying security and armed forces reaction is necessary to save lives when needed, the EU can facilitate and prevent protracted conflicts and reinforce this cooperation and and violence. This is where the EU make the collective effort more Battlegroups come in. effective. Ensuring a joined-up and comprehensive approach which They permit the EU and its Member makes full use of all the EU’s states to respond early and rapidly available instruments and acts on to evolving conflicts. Preventing all stages and levels of the conflict conflicts and engaging at an early is essential to achieve a lasting stage is more efficient and effective resolution of violent conflicts and crises.

Specific tasks and objectives Renewed impetus, not new competences Battlegroups are employable across the full range of In recent months there has been substantial progress to tasks listed in Article 43(1) of the Treaty on European overcome the obstacles which have so far prevented the Union and those identified in the context of the deployment of EU Battlegroups, despite their effective implementation of the EU Global Strategy. operation since 2007.

These include: The most significant obstacle had long been the • conflict prevention financing of EU Battlegroup operations. However, at the • initial stabilisation in June 2017 Member States took • humanitarian interventions and rescue tasks further steps to make full use of the Lisbon Treaty’s • crisis management potential in the area of security and defence, by calling • peacekeeping for a broadening of the costs that would be borne in common by Member States, notably as regards the Deployment of EU BGs always requires a unanimous deployment of EU Battlegroups. Decisions in this decision of the Council and would generally require an regards are currently under discussion in the context authorising UN Security Council Resolution. of the review of the mechanism for the financing of EU military missions and operations (Athena mechanism). Features of EU Battlegroups

CHARACTERISTICS STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

On a rotational basis, two Allows the EU and its Member Strengthens the EU’s strategic Battlegroups are always on standby States to independently and rapidly autonomy in military terms, thus for a period of 6 months. respond to emerging conflicts and also strengthening NATO. crises. EU Battlegroups are able to The development of Battlegroups initially sustain missions for 30 EU Battlegroups are intended has contributed to the days, extendable to 120 days if for small-scale rapid response transformation of the Member resupplied appropriately. missions as opposed to fully States armed forces in response to fledged long-term operations. a changing security environment. Battlegroups are usually made-up In particular it has developed their of a combined arms, - Battlegroups are the minimum capacity in the field of rapid sized (about 1500 personnel size force capable of a stand- response missions. strong) force, reinforced with alone operation or as a spearhead combat and combat service preparing the ground for more This not only increases the EU’s support. Their exact composition comprehensive operations. military independence, but also depends on the specificities of crucially ensures an effective and the mission and the participating Cooperation is essential. targeted response. countries. No individual actor can effectively and pre-emptively face the This has led to enhanced EU Battlegroups are based on multitude and complexities of cooperation between the principle of multi-nationality. today’s threats alone.Instead Member States, promotes the This may also include non-EU Member states can benefit interoperability of military forces, countries, as is the case in the from each other’s competences and thus avoids duplication and where six and complement each other’s makes the collective effort more EU Member States are joined by strengths. effective. It entails a deepening which is not a member of mutualknowledge of each other’s the EU. military capabilities and related political processes.