In late October 2023, the first-ever joint European Union military exercise took place. Held in Spain, and carried completely outside NATO structures, the exercise involved units of the European Union’s member states. Among them were also combat engineers from the Foreign Legion’s 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG). See images.
MILEX 23 was organized in the southernmost part of Spain, around the Rota Naval Base located in Cádiz, between October 16 and 22. Around 2,800 military personnel participated, coming from nine European countries: Spain, Austria, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Romania. They contributed with 31 units that represented navy, land, space and cybernetic security military branches.
In fact, in the European Commission (part of the executive of the European Union), this exercise was seen as the first step for creating some kind of joint European armed forces under a single command. Such a project is now represented by the Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC), a brigade-sized battle group, which is to be operational by 2025. Thus, according to official statements, MILEX 23 was to enhance the RDC’s readiness, boost its interoperability, and build the EU’s ability to respond faster to crisis outside its territory.
PHOTOS. 1er REG and MILEX 23 in Spain.
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