Military Technology 06/2021

As the international scene seems determined on becoming more complex by the day, the EU’s surroundings are simultaneously becoming more turbulent. In addition to the wrangling over COVID responses, Brexit and the issue of whose laws are sovereign, the Polish-Belarussian cri- sis is beginning to take on extremely serious overtones. It is scarcely surprising, therefore, that the EU defence construct is accelerating towards the deployment of the ‘European Rapid Deployment’ capability, a concept that is included in the draft of the EU Strategic Compass now in circulation. The underpinning concept is that a rapid re- action force, perhaps up to 5,000 strong, stands ready to deploy and intervene in the event of crises or imminent threats. The Chairman of the EU Military Committee, General Claudio Graziano, recently explained the thinking behind the concept to MilTech , in an exclusive interview with our NATO and EU Affairs Correspondent, Caterina Tani. A former Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), then Chief of Staff for the Italian Army, General Graziano served as Chief of the Defence Staff for the Italian armed forces in 2016-2018. MilTech : Do you believe a force of 5,000 troops is sufficient for the potential tasks? General Graziano: Let‘s start with the name, which should be confirmed within the next few days. The name with the most credibility is ‘European Rapid Deployment Capacity,’ and encompasses a capability to provide a projection force that could also act as an entry force. This links well with the concept we had from the very beginning – one of a ‘full-spectrum ca- pability force.’ If we want to be able to adapt a force, in terms of capacity, for every single potential mission, we will shape that force according to specific mission needs. The definition of an average size of this force – not less than 5,000 troops – corresponds to anticipated ad hoc needs. The EU has already determined the maximum ambition for such a force, in terms of size: 60,000 – equating to an army corps. This should be de- ployable up to a range of 6,000km – and there is a minimum level of ambi- tion for assuring humanitarian extraction. We considered evolving threats and recent events – such as the evacuation of Kabul and the situations in the Sahel and Mali, for example – and looked carefully at the average rapid force generation capabilities for ready-to-use forces possessed by the various European nations. In my own experience, the ability to count on a package of a multi-dimensional, multi-spectrum force of 5,000 troops will require the use of far more numerous assets, for this force has to be deployed, transported (by air and by sea) and supported. We also have to ensure it is part of some sort of net-centric ‘bubble,’ one including a cyber dimension and satellite access, whereas in the past we could count on the support of allies – particularly the United States. We are talking about a package that has instant and visible credibility – and that can be ex- panded, if necessary. The concept also implies the existence of ‘strategic enablers’ – an entire panoply of supporting elements, ranging from satel- lite repeaters and cyber capabilities to strategic transport and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), all of which bring a concrete, prag- matic aspect to the operation. So – there may be 5,000 sets of boots actually ‘on the ground,’ but the total number deployed in support of the operation could be double or triple that number. MilTech : What would be such a force’s relationship with NATO? General Graziano: The relationship would be very close. We are talking about the same set of forces. Italy, France and Germany don‘t have differ- ent forces dedicated separately to, for example, national needs, the United Nations, NATO or the European Union – they must always use the same forces. Obviously, their structure is linked to the specific needs of the rel- evant organisation at that precise moment. Since 2011 NATO, for various reasons, has focused its attention on the collective defence of the transat- lantic area, with the consequence that there is a vacuum in other missions and areas that needs to be filled. This situation has been complicated by the US ‘pivot’ to the Indo-Pacific theatre of operations. The EU has now stated its willingness to operate as a global security provider. To give substance to this ambition, and to guarantee the concept An Interview with General Claudio Graziano The Chairman of the EU Military Committee Explains Rapid Deployment 6 · MT 6/2021 Comment