Source: European Parliament
The EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC) is a flagship initiative of the Strategic Compass[1]. It is now operational as a robust and scalable military instrument that can be deployed in a swift manner to respond to crises outside EU borders. The EU RDC is composed of EU Battlegroups and pre-identified forces and capabilities provided by Member States.
Over the past three years, preparatory work has focused on: securing the necessary forces and capabilities; supporting their readiness and interoperability through EU live exercises; strengthening the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (staffing, communication and information systems); and conducting advance planning. The operational readiness, however, requires continuous effort, notably Member States’ commitment.
Since the EU RDC is implemented under the EU Common Security and Defence Policy, the financing of common costs related to its deployment and live exercises is done through the European Peace Facility[2]. The remainder of the costs related to the EU RDC is borne by Member States on a ‘costs lie where they fall’ basis.
The deployment of the EU RDC, as is the case for all EU military operations, will require a unanimous decision of the Member States.
More generally, in line with Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union, the EU RDC, as all actions conducted in the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy, ‘shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States’[3].