Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Union is continuing its 23rd military crisis management exercise (MILEX 23) which began on September 18 and continues until October 22. With the participation of 19 member states, the aim is to strengthen the European Union’s military readiness and its ability to respond faster and more decisively to external conflicts and crises.
According to a statement issued in Brussels by the Office of the Coordinator for Foreign and Security Policies, Josep Borrell, during MILEX23, the European Union will hold its first live military exercise (LIVEX) from October 16 to 22 in Cádiz, Spain. With this first maneuver, the European Union takes an important step forward in EU security and defense policy in line with its objectives. Strategic compass by enhancing cooperation, preparedness and interoperability.
The European statement quoted Borrell as saying: “With the Strategic Compass, we are making a qualitative leap to become a more assertive and capable security provider, and more prepared to address current and future crises. The exercises are a key tool to increase the readiness and interoperability of our forces, enhance our rapid response and strengthen our position. As we conduct our first ever live exercise, we are taking steps forward towards strengthening the European Union's military planning and conduct capability and operational rapid deployment capability. According to the statement
LIVEX is a crucial step in preparing the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC) – a key tool that will increase the EU's ability to act quickly and robustly in response to crises by mobilizing the necessary Member State capacities in a coordinated way. . LIVEX also represents the EU's need for joint training and exercises for its personnel in order to test and validate its concepts, procedures and tactics. Likewise, together with the future LIVEX, this is another step towards reaching full operational capability for the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) by 2025, which should become the EU command and control structure, including the EU Regional Data Centre.

MILEX 23 will be implemented in two phases/parts:

1. The first part of the exercise - Command Post Exercise (CPX) began Monday, September 18 to Friday, October 6. It will serve as a test of the military planning process at the military strategic and operational levels.

2. The second part of the exercise – The live exercise (LIVEX) will be conducted from October 16 to October 22. The European Union will bring together approx. 2,800 military personnel from various member states will participate in a simulation of realistic crisis events related to military operations and support. The simulation will take place in the province of Cádiz (Spain) and will apply the operational scenario developed during the first part. This scenario includes naval components, land components, and air, space, and cyber assets.

Participation in the first EU LIVEX will take place at three levels:

The EU Operations Headquarters (OHQ) is provided by the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) in Brussels at the military-strategic level

EU Force Headquarters (FHQ) provided by the Spanish Armed Forces at the operational level

An EU battle group-sized force provided by Spain as a framework country and with the participation of military units from EU Member States at the tactical level

The LIVEX program also includes a VIP Visiting Day, on 17 October, with the participation of European Coordinator Josep Borrell, and a Distinguished Visitors Day (DVD) on 19 October, with the participation of the EU Chiefs of Defence, when they will be able to observe the forces and assets of the Member States working together.