EU approves military rapid response concept

(BRUSSELS2) After the concept of crisis management, the EU Military Staff is continuing its strategic review of the concepts. This is how he finished developing the concept quick reaction military (MRRC). Document expected to be approved by the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) on April 30. This concept (download here - in English) understands rapid military intervention in its three environments: maritime, land, air – and determines how a combined response can be provided.

two-stroke

The reaction takes place in two stages. First, the political reaction time – during which the crisis is identified and the Council takes a decision to launch the operation. This presupposes already starting planning in advance, military and civilian, to allow political leaders to make the decision. And second, the standard military response time (60 days) or the rapid military response (between 5 and 30 days).

In emergency situations

You have to be able to respond in less than 5 days. This presupposes having an extremely reduced decision-making process and being able to use forces normally kept on maximum alert, for national reasons. This objective - listed in the "Headline Goal 2010", recalled in the conclusions of the General Affairs Council of May 23, 2005 and in those of the European Council of December 2008 - is a singular change, underline the military. A priori this deadline is only indicated within the framework of the engagement of a battlegroup. But if the Council chooses to use another means, the challenge becomes quite different.

Five crisis response scenarios

The EU has identified 5 different crisis response scenarios:
- separation of parties by force (SOPF)
- stabilization, reconstruction and military advice to third countries (SR)
- conflict prevention (CP)
- evacuation operations (EO)
- assistance to humanitarian operations (HA).

Typically, the first three scenarios require more of a robust and enduring force capable of achieving the desired objectives than a rapid response – although an initial theater entry force may be deployed in this setting. On the other hand, the last two crisis situations are more likely to require a rapid military response.

Three principles are set for a rapid military response: speed, range of intervention, concomitance; that is, planning and force generation must be conducted concurrently.

Do not confuse military and police

The European security strategy encompasses certain situations that are not considered in the rapid reaction scenarios: terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and organized crime. A military response seems unsuitable to be required in this type of crisis situation ” estimate the authors of the concept, even if military equipment can be used in support of the civil authorities.