EDA News

The latest European Defence Matters magazine is now available with a special focus on the EU’s Space Strategy and its implications, opportunities and challenges for Defence. 

NEW: the magazine is now also available ONLINE in a user-friendly, state of the art responsive lay-out and accessible via all your devices: smartphone, tablet or desktop!  Check it out HERE

Space-based civilian services have become indispensable in everyone's daily lives. Think of satellite TV, mobile phones, navigation systems in cars or taking the plane.  But Europe’s space policy is also gaining prominence in the context of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP): space-based communication, situational awareness, and navigation and earth-observation capabilities play an increasingly critical role in security and defence. 

Against this backdrop, the new Space Strategy for Europe takes on a wider, much more significant meaning. For the first time ever, the EU identifies space as a ‘strategic asset’ for strengthening European security & defence and even a core element in achieving Europe’s objective of ‘strategic autonomy’.

Reason enough to make of ‘Space & Defence’ the main dossier for this 13th edition of European Defence Matters.  We analyse the Space Strategy’s defence-related aspects and repercussions, especially in connection with the Commission’s European Defence Action Plan (EDAP), and give the floor to the main actors in this field: European Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, European External Action Service’s (EEAS) special envoy for space François Rivasseau, EU Satellite Centre (SatCen) director Pascal Legai, European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Jan Woerner as well as European Defence Agency (EDA) Chief Executive Jorge Domecq. To hear the European space industry’s views, we speak to Jean-Loïc Galle who is not only CEO of Thales Alenia Space but also President of ASD-Eurospace.

Frank Haun, the President & CEO of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Co-CEO of KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS), is our guest for this edition’s ‘Industry Talk’ in which he makes a plea for consolidation and streamlining to strengthen Europe’s defence industry. 

In the same vein, the head of McKinsey & Company’s activities in the defence sector in EMEA,  Wolff van Sintern, tells us in a very interesting interview how important it is for Europe to overcome the current fragmentation of its defence market, to boost cooperation and to achieve greater integration based on standardized requirements and equipment.

The analysis by Daniel Fiott (Security & Defence editor at the EU Institute for Security Studies) of the EU’s defence policy 60 years after the Treaty of Rome is another highlight.

Go ONLINE and get MORE!

A final word on the new ONLINE format of European Defence Matters which will make your reading experience even more comfortable:

• in addition to the print version, the online version occasionally offers expanded articles and supplementary pictures
• articles and pictures can be shared instantly via Twitter, LinkedIn and Email
• the magazine’s ‘Explore’ section allows you to easily access the European Defence Matters archive and revisit articles of previous editions
• by joining us via www.eda.europa.eu/webzine, you will have access to the latest issue and the possibility to navigate through the previous editions by using the ‘Explore’ function.

Enjoy navigating, enjoy reading!
 

More information:

• European Defence Matters 13 (webzine)

After a final test run successfully conducted last week, the second Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL) recently delivered to the permanent JDEAL training facility in Soesterberg (The Netherands) has now reached its full operational capability (FOC).

This means that with two deployable capabilities available for participating Member States, EDA’s JDEAL project - which will be extended until 2021 - has now met its primary level of objective. Both deployable laboratories, considered to be key tools for improving the fight against improvised explosive devices (IEDs), are thus now ready for deployment upon requests by Member States.

The new second laboratory is fully based on mission essential equipment and comes with a lighter housing version than the first one.

Awaiting future deployments, both laboratories will be displayed during the next technical exploitation at the JDEAL Training Facilities in Soesterberg on 5/6 September 2017.

 

More information:

• EDA programme launched to improve IED Detection (webnews January 2017)
• Counter-IED (EDA project page)
  
  

The 11th edition of the Joint Personnel Recovery Staff Course (JPRSC), a project initiated and supported by the European Defence Agency (EDA), was organised and hosted by the Hungarian Defence Forces from 22 May to 2 June in Veszprém, Hungary.

A total of 15 students from five contributing countries (The Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Norway, and Hungary) benefitted from the knowledge and experience of a cadre of instructors from Sweden, Germany, Hungary and the European Personnel Recovery Centre (EPRC).

The main focus of the course was to train staff officers in supporting their commanders in Personnel Recovery related issues. The course was designed for personnel who man personnel recovery positions in tactical operation centres (TOCs), personnel recovery coordination cells (PRCCs) or joint personnel recovery cells (JPRCs). The overall objective of the Joint Personnel Recovery Staff Course is to ensure that trained personnel are available to support any future Personnel Recovery activities in an operational context.

Personnel Recovery is a vital element of modern operational planning as it provides a security net for deployed personnel. Most importantly, it boosts morale and acknowledges the responsibility of Member States and the European Union to develop and provide relevant capabilities to recover and reintegrate isolated personnel deployed in the context of Crisis Management Operations under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

The next EU JPRSC will take place in the Italian Joint Air Operations School in Guidonia (Rome) from 13 to 22 September 2017 and will be organised by the Italian Ministry of Defence.
 

Background

The EDA PRCPC project was established on 30 May 2013 as an EDA Category B project under the lead of Sweden. As of today, it includes seven contributing EU Member States (cMS): Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Sweden. The course has been extended three times and will be finalised on 30 May 2019. The JPRSC is part of the EDA’s Personnel Recovery Controller and Planner Course (PRCPC).

Head of the EDA, High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and Minister of Defence of Spain, Dolores de Cospedal, today officially opened the European Tactical Airlift Centre (ETAC) in Zaragoza. The opening of ETAC marks a significant step forward in European defence cooperation and joint collaboration with the establishment of a permanent operational base for advanced tactical airlift training.

Today (June 8) Zaragoza officially became the home of the European Air Transport Fleet (EATF) Training Programme in a ceremony marking the transfer of this project from the EDA to Spain. The newly created European Tactical Airlift Centre (ETAC) will serve as the permanent home for this project. Created by EDA in 2011, and signed by 20 participating nations, the EATF partnership aims to increase the EU’s airlift capabilities by addressing shortages and increasing interoperability. A flag handover ceremony between EDA Chief Executive, Jorge Domecq, and the ETAC Commander, Colonel Jose Luis Romero, marked the official project transfer of EATF training activities from the EDA to ETAC.

 
ETAC: Transfer from EDA to a permanent host nation

The opening of the ETAC represents the largest transfer of a project, created and developed by the EDA, to one of its Member States on a permanent basis. Speaking about what this transfer means, EDA Chief Executive, Jorge Domecq, said:

“This is significant moment for European defence cooperation and the EDA. This new centre is the culmination of 6 years of development in the EDA, I am proud that this project has reached maturity and will be transferred to the leadership of Spain as a new and permanent host nation. ETAC demonstrates exactly how the EDA enables positive defence collaboration and delivers real capability improvement for our Member States.”
 

Federica Mogherini (Head of the EDA, EU High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission), Dolores de Cospedal (Minister of Defence of Spain)

 
ETAC: The new home of European tactical airlift  

The establishment of a permanent multinational airlift training centre (ETAC) marks a major step forward in European defence collaboration in the critical capability domain of tactical airlift. 11 nations are the owners of this agreement (BE, BG, CZ, DE, ES, FR, IT, LU, NL, PT and NO) and they will share the burden to plan, organize and execute Advanced Airlift Courses, Training and Symposia in different locations (France, Italy, Bulgaria, Portugal & Sweden) by using a permanent lean command and control structure based at Zaragoza. ETAC will be manned by experts from the different participating nations on a rotational basis. The first composition will be made up from Spanish, Italian, German and French officers, who will be replaced within 3 to 4 years with staff from the remaining signatory nations. 
 

Federica Mogherini

 
EAATTC 17-3: 11th training course successfully concludes

In parallel to the ETAC opening, the graduating crews of the third European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course for 2017 (EAATTC 17-3) were also presented with certificates by members of the visiting delegation. Four crews, representing three Member States (Germany: C160; Poland C130 and Spain: C295 and C130) received their certificates following the completion of the two-week training course. Over 120 personnel were involved including support personnel from Italy, Belgium, the European Air Transport Command (EATC) and JAPCC.

The training provided air transport crews with a focused airlift tactics training syllabus specifically designed to enhance interoperability between European air forces. Nine missions were executed, including very low level tactical flights, fighter engagement and evasive maneuvers from ground-to-air threats all trying to stop the air drops of critical cargo and paratroopers.  Each crew flew an average of 20 hours in a particularly demanding environment and completed several successful tactical flights to successfully graduate from the course. 
 

Jorge Domecq (EDA Chief Executive), Federica Mogherini, Dolores de Cospedal

 
3D-Printing in defence: Successful test deployment of AM facility  

EDA’s ground-breaking project, “Additive Manufacturing Feasibility Study & Technology Demonstration”, successfully deployed a 3D-printing lab to Zaragoza for the duration of EAATTC 17-3. The project aims to assess the areas where Additive Manufacturing (3D-printing) can have a positive impact on defence capabilities and to demonstrate the feasibility of on-site critical component manufacture.

On May 31st, the lab was loaded on a Spanish C-130 and successfully completed a 30 minute flight. This test was pivotal to examining the feasibility of the facility to be deployed by air. After landing, the lab and its equipment was inspected and found to have encountered no issues from the airlift. 

During the deployment, the AM lab generated a lot of interest from the multinational units involved in EAATTC 17-3. Lab technicians worked closely with EAATTC 17-3 officials in the design and production of different test parts. Through these interactions, the technicians were able to gather ideas to print parts on-site and on-demand. The deployment also underscored the strong interest and potential of AM technologies across all military branches (pilots, maintenance, technicians and logistic support), who were keen to learn how 3D-printing could benefit their area of expertise. 

The deployment has been successful in terms of showcasing the technologies and raising awareness of their operational application. Furthermore, the lessons learned from the deployment and test flight of the AM lab will also contribute to shaping the design and requirement of future 3D-printing facilities. 

The results of this feasibility demonstration will be presented in September, as part of an exhibition (Exploring Additive Manufacturing impact in Defence capabilities) to high-ranking military staff, to raise awareness on the possible impact of AM in defence.
 

More information: 

• EDA Fact sheet on EAATTC 17-3
• EDA Fact sheet on 3D-printing
   

The European Defence Agency (EDA) today published the three 2017 calls for proposals for the EU’s Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR). Details about the calls and participation conditions can be found here.  More information will also be available at a special PADR Information Day and Brockerage event which will be organized by the EDA on 27 June. 

The three calls cover the following domains:

• A technological demonstrator for enhanced situational awareness in a naval environment that shows the added value of unmanned systems in enhancing situational awareness while operating alongside and communicating with other manned and unmanned systems. The deadline for submitting proposals is 5 October 2017;
• Research in technology and products in the context of Force Protection and Soldier Systems. This topic focuses on future generic open soldier system reference architecture and can include technology advancements in tailor-made blast, ballistic and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) protection of military personnel as well as novel developments in active and passive military camouflage methods. The deadline for submitting proposals is 21 September 2017;
• Strategic technology foresight. Proposals will need to develop and validate a methodology and/or process to gather data for foresight activities to prepare, among others, the long-term agenda for defence research in the EU.  The deadline for submitting proposals is 21 September 2017.

 

Background 

The Preparatory Action on Defence Research, which is implemented by the European Defence Agency (EDA) through a Delegation Agreement signed on 31 May, is the first step towards a future European defence research programme (EDRP) as part of the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027).

The budget for the PADR related actions in 2017 is €25 million. The Preparatory Action will be financed mainly through grants.

 

More information: 

• Calls for proposals (Commission Research & Innovation Participant Portal)
• EDA PADR Info Day and Brockerage event on 27 June
• Preparatory Action on Defence Research (EDA project page)
• EDA Factsheet: Preparatory Action on Defence Research
• ‘Decision on the financing of the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) and the use of unit costs for the year 2017’ (full text)
• EDA grants page
• Call for experts to assist the EDA with tasks in connection with the PADR

An Estonian research project on the technical aspects and threat vectors of cyber hygiene has been awarded co-funding (70%) under the main ESIF: the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF).

This 300,000 Euro applied research project is the first stage of a wider 3 million Euro project. The Estonian project holder, the Small-and-Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) CYBEXER TECHNOLOGIES OÜ, is a Tallinn-based joint company that will also provide the required ‘match funding’ (i.e. 30% of the total project). The TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, at the origin of the project idea, will also benefit from the ERDF co-funding.

Following EDA’s procedure in 2015 requesting Member States’ Ministries of Defence to identify and propose promising dual-use R&T projects, this Estonian project was selected by EDA to benefit from EDA free-of-charge technical assistance aimed at maximising its chance to access ESIF. As usual, flexibility has been key to success: under EDA’s free-of-charge technical support, the original project has undergone decisive adaptations. Like in the previous pilot case awarded in Portugal  in 2016, EDA’s methodology addressing ERDF within the current multiannual financial framework running till 2020 has again proved to be successful.

Above mentioned Estonian and Portuguese successful cases add to earlier two EDA-supported dual-use R&T projects, another Portuguese and a Polish, both co-funded too, under a first EDA support process launched in 2013.

EDA has also recently launched a similar assistance process focusing on access to the second main fund among ESIF, the European Social Fund (ESF), in support of key skills and competencies for defence (KSC). Under this procedure [“ESF4KSC”], MoDs may forward to EDA (by the 18th of September 2017) KSC-related projects collected nationally from stakeholders.

More information

• EDA’s work on Access to EU funding
• EDA’s summary table on EU funding opportunities for defence-related stakeholders
• EDA’s work in support of Small-and-Medium-Sized Enterprises
     

 

In a major step forward for EDA’s innovative Additive Manufacturing (AM or 3D-printing) in defence project, the AM lab completed a successful test flight on-board a Spanish C-130, fulfilling all airlift requirements for a military deployment and civilian transport. The test flight,  part of the simulated deployment the 3D-printing facility is currently undergoing at the European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course (EAATTC 17-3) in Zaragoza, was pivotal to examining its feasibility to be deployed by air.

EDA’s ground-breaking project, “Additive Manufacturing Feasibility Study & Technology Demonstration”, aims to assess the areas where Additive Manufacturing (AM) (3D-printing)  can have a positive impact on defence capabilities and to demonstrate its feasibility. The second work strand of this project is currently underway in Zaragoza as part of EDA’s airlift training course - EAATTC 17-3. In the morning of May 31st, the lab was loaded on-board a Spanish C-130 and completed a successful 30 minute flight. This test was pivotal to examining the feasibility of the facility to be deployed by air. After landing, the lab and its equipment was inspected and found to have encountered no issues from the airlift. 

The lab has now been transferred to its final location in Zaragoza airbase where it will begin producing test parts. Over the next week, technicians will interact with the officials deployed at EAATTC 17-3, presenting the possibilities offered by the equipment, and identifying in close dialogue what are the main needs in an operation that could be fulfilled by an AM facility. Together, the technicians and the officials will select a number of different test parts to be produced on site and on demand, with different grades of complexity. 

The project represents a clear example of how cross-fertilization of ideas from different domains, from R&T to operations, will enhance defence capabilities, especially when supporting deployed missions. The overall study has the objective of raising awareness in the defence community and of promoting a better understanding of the potential held by these technologies, thereby stimulating their implementation in defence specific areas. 
 

AM Facility on display at ETAC opening

On June 8 the new European Tactical Airlift Centre (ETAC) will be officially opened by Head of the EDA, High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini and Minister of Defence of Spain Dolores de Cospedal. ETAC represents the largest transfer of a project, created and developed by the EDA, to one of its Member States on a permanent basis.

AM technicians will be on hand to explain the project to visiting officials, who will also visit the AM lab,  and demonstrate some of the items produced during its test deployment. EDA will be live from Zaragoza on June 8th for this event, join us on twitter (@EUdefenceagency) using #EUdefence.  
 

Future steps: Additive Manufacturing Exhibition

An EDA Exhibition “Exploring Additive Manufacturing impact in Defence capabilities” will be held in Gijón (ES) on 12 September 2017.  The aim of this exhibition is to raise awareness among the defence community and, specifically, to high level military staff, on the capabilities that additive manufacturing technologies can bring to the defence sector and its potential for different applications. Examples on how the technology could change the way operations, logistic support or maintenance are performed, will be explained and showcased.

Moreover, attendees will have access to an exhibition during the event, where EDA AM facility (deployed at EAATTC 17-3), equipment, prototypes and real parts produced by AM will be shown. Finally, the conclusions of this EDA project, including the equipment used and typical objects and materials produced during the deployment of the AM facility will be presented, allowing participants to discuss about possible follow on activities.
 

More information:

• Zaragoza to permanently host the European Tactical Airlift Center from June
• Contractor’s questionnaire on Additive Manufacturing impact on Defence
• EDA letter - support to Additive Manufacturing feasibility study & technology demonstration
• EDA news on the AM kick-off meeting (December 2016)
• EDA consultation to identify impact of 3D-printing technologies in defence 
• EAATTC 17-3 Fact sheet 

The European Commission Director-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Lowri Evans, and the Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (EDA), Jorge Domecq, today signed a Delegation Agreement by which the Commission entrusts the EDA with the management of the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) to be launched in early June. The signing was attended by Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Deputy Director General Pierre Delsaux (DG GROW) as well as Jean-Eric Paquet, the Commission's Deputy Secretary-General.

The aim of the Preparatory Action, which is the first substantial EU funded action for defence research, is to demonstrate the added-value of EU-funded research in the defence sector. Running over a three-year period (2017-2019), the PADR will be a genuine test-bed for proving the relevance of European defence research and laying the foundations for a fully-fledged EU defence R&D programme in the Multi-annual Financial Framework beginning in 2021. It is a central element of the ‘Research Window’ of the European Defence Fund proposed by the Commission last November.

The PADR will provide European added value as the research projects will focus on capability priorities at European level, notably through the Capability Development Plan (CDP), and on areas where Member States can no longer afford to act alone. Thereby, it will also create new incentives for cooperation both among governments and industry.

At the signing ceremony, Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska stated: “The Commission is ready to play its role to the full and to even put EU funds and legal frameworks to support defence research and defence capabilities. This is potentially a game changer. However, to achieve this we need the expertise of the EDA. Together we can make a real difference. This partnership will continue to be important as we build the Defence Fund with the implementation of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme”.

EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq thanked the Commission for making the Delegation Agreement possible and said the EDA was looking forward to a good and fruitful implementation. He stated: “Our work in carrying forward the Preparatory Action will be in line with EDA’s role as central operator for EU funded defence related activities as well as the preferred cooperation forum and management support structure at EU level for participating Member States to engage in technology and capability development activities, highlighted at EDA’s last Ministerial Steering Board. I am proud we have successfully achieved this agreement which lays the basis for a sound and fruitful cooperation between the Commission and EDA for the years to come. It is a balanced Delegation Agreement in which the Commission and EDA will be genuine partners. The Preparatory Action on Defence Research will be the test bed for the coming European Defence Research Programme”.

 

Foundations laid by successful Pilot Project

The foundations for the Preparatory Action were laid last year with the successful launch of a much smaller ‘Pilot Project on Defence Research’ which is also managed by the EDA on the basis of a Delegation Agreement signed in November 2015. The Pilot Project was a first opportunity for the EDA to demonstrate its ability to manage EU funding for defence research.

Mr Domecq stressed that the Agency was now ready and well prepared to run the much bigger PADR with its €90 million budget of which €25 million are earmarked for 2017.

The EDA played an important ‘upstream role’ in setting up the Preparatory Action and will also have a crucial ‘downstream’ task to fulfil, as a hub for the exploitation of the outcome of the different R&T projects under the PADR.

 

Next steps

Now that the Delegation Agreement is signed, the EDA will immediately proceed with its implementation. The first step will be the launch, on 7 June, of the 2017 calls for proposals. An Information Day is then scheduled for 27 June in order to inform entities from industry and the research community (including universities) about the opportunities and modalities of the Preparatory Action. Proposals can be submitted by the autumn and the signature of the first grant agreements is envisaged by the end of this year. Calls for 2018 proposals are expected to be launched early next year.

 

More information:

• EDA factsheet on PADR
• Practical details on 27 June Information Day
• Preparatory Action on Defence Research: Commission adopts financial decision with project détails (EDA webnews, April 2017)
  
  

The third European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course for 2017 (EAATTC 17-3), hosted by the Spanish Airforce at Zaragoza airbase runs from 28 May to 9 June 2017. Initiated under the EDA Cat A European Air transport fleet Programme and run together with the European Air Transport Command (EATC), the course has reached its maturity and is on the verge of being moved to a permanent organisation in charge of planning and executing courses. This edition of EAATTC will represent the beginning of the transition phase of responsibilities between EDA and European Tactical Airlift Centre (ETAC).  

This edition of EAATTC gathers five aircraft from four different countries (Belgium: C130; Germany: C160; Poland C130 and Spain: C295 and C130) and support personnel coming from Italy, the European Air Transport Command (EATC) as well as JAPCC. The training aims to provide air transport crews with a robust airlift tactics training syllabus in order to enhance interoperability between European air forces. 

The course is dedicated to single-ship flying missions which, as the training goes on, will evolve from an initial low level tactical scenario to a more complex air-to-air and ground-to-air threats environment. Nine flights are planned for the single ship course. At the end of the course, crews will receive a Graduation Certificate based on the completion of the syllabus objectives by June 8. 
 

European Tactical Airlift Centre (ETAC) 

On June 8 the new European Tactical Airlift Centre (ETAC) will be officially opened by Head of the EDA, High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini and Minister of Defence of Spain Dolores de Cospedal. ETAC represents the largest transfer of a project, created and developed by the EDA, to one of its Member States on a permanent basis. 

Zaragoza will officially become the home of the European Air Transport Fleet (EAFT) Programme on June 8th in a ceremony marking the transfer of this project from the EDA to Spain. Created in 2011 by EDA, and signed by 20 participating nations, the EATF partnership aims to increase the EU’s airlift capabilities by addressing shortages and increasing interoperability. The establishment of a permanent multinational airlift training centre (ETAC) marks a major step forward in European defence collaboration in the critical capability domain of tactical airlift. 
 

Media Day – June 8

Members of the media can avail of seats available on board a flight from Brussels to Zaragoza airbase (kindly provided by the Belgian Defence) for the opening of ETAC. All details can be found here. 

On June 8 EDA will be live from Zaragoza airbase for special coverage of the opening of ETAC. Throughout the day we will be bringing you live updates on twitter of the opening ceremony, graduation of aircrews, interviews and visits to the 3D printing lab. 

Visit our twitter page (@EUDefenceAgency) and get involved using #EUdefence.  

 

 

More information:

• Zaragoza to permanently host the European Tactical Airlift Center from June
• EATF project page  
• EDA consultation to identify impact of 3D-printing technologies in defence

 

 

 

ESF4KSC is a free-of-charge support to industry, RTOs, universities, MODs and armed forces.  This process aims at selecting projects that would benefit with free-of-charge advisory services in order to maximise their chance to be eligible and obtain funding when applying to the European Social Fund (ESF), one of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). EDA has issued to Ministries of Defence (MoDs) a “Request for Projects” to collect projects enhancing Key Skills and Competencies for Defence (KSC). 

Industry, Research-and-Technology Organisations, Universities, entities of the MOD/Armed Forces, as well as other holders of potential projects supporting KSC, can address their MoD to receive the relevant documentation in view of submitting KSC-related projects to their MoD for further submission to the EDA. Once received KSC-related project proposals through the MoD (by the deadline September 18, 2017), EDA will then select some to benefit free-of-charge from high-level advisory services on ESF requirements and to fully develop the application folder, by eventually applying in response to ESF Calls for Proposals.

Since 2014 EDA assists various defence stakeholders to access to EU funding and has been successfully supporting selected pilot dual-use R&T projects applying to the main ESIF, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), thereby paving the way to the acknowledgement that ESIF may fund defence projects [see European Defence Action Plan, COM(2016) 950, 30/11/2016].

Based on past and ongoing EDA’s studies, now EDA addresses its support to access EU funding both to skills in defence industry/RTOs and procurement competencies in MoDs/Armed Forces. 

 

More information:

• Contact EDA on this procedure (“ESF4KSC RfP”)
• EDA’s work on Access to EU funding
• EDA’s work on Key Skills and Competencies for Defence
• EDA’s work in support of Small-and-Medium-Sized Enterprises

• EDA’s webpage “Industry Info”

 

Exercise FIRE BLADE 2017, which was hosted by the Hungarian Defence Forces, came to an end on Thursday 11 May 2017 and was officially closed by the acting Chief of the Hungarian Air Force, Colonel Pal Szűcs and LTC Roel Cuppes, who represented the EDA. This was the 11th helicopter exercise under the umbrella of EDA’s Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP). With 16 air assets and roughly 500 military participants, it once again proved the immense value of collaborative training for the troops, aircrew, maintenance and support personnel who took part.

Organised at Pápa in Hungary, the Exercise proved to be a high-tempo, dynamic event. A total of 250 flight hours were accumulated, almost 28000 ammunition rounds and 480 non-guided rockets fired. The five participating Member States (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Slovenia and Hungary) participated with 14 different European helicopters. The first week included a complete day of briefings covering flight safety, expected battle rhythm and host nation support, weapon range procedures and a review of joint helicopter tactics. This theoretical element was followed with familiarisation of the aircrew with Pápa airbase, emergency rehearsals with firefighters and (SOF) troops to take account of the different helicopters types and to ensure high safety levels were achieved in all areas.  The first week continued with individual training, helicopter operations by day and night, fighter evasion missions with Hungarian JAS-39 GRIPEN jets and live-fire training on the different weapon ranges. Despite significant bad weather with low cloud and thunderstorms, all day and night missions were completed successful.

In the second week, the shooting ranges north of Lake Balaton were fully utilised, allowing the flying participants to train in a highly realistic mixed rural and urban environment and adapt their thinking to complex missions with integrated live-firing scenarios. As the exercise matured, the multi-national crews conducted coalition level training, which culminated in the planning and execution of  7 Composite Air Operation (COMAO) missions. These covered a spectrum of advanced helicopter manoeuvre tactics including a large formation of helicopters with embarked troops and integrated training Joint Terminal Air Controllers (JTAC), set against complex threats such as SA-6 SAM, T-72 Main Battle tanks and GRIPEN fighter aircraft.

The experience of working together and practicing live firing tactics in combined and joint missions is a critical requirement to maintain operational readiness at a realistic level. With most nations working within tight financial constraints, this level of advanced training is virtually impossible to achieve on a purely national basis.  However, in addition to the cost sharing benefits, the exercise also offers a step change in improved interoperability which has become the hallmark of the HEP.

In his closing remarks, the Exercise Director expressed his appreciation to everyone who had contributed to the success of the exercise: “During this two week period all of you demonstrated a high sense of commitment and accomplished your tasks with diligence and professionalism. We come from different nations, with different languages, but we have the same missions and the same challenges to address. You have demonstrated that working together is the only solution to achieve our appointed tasks and reaching success.”

Even as the Exercise draws to a close, work to identify critical lessons begins.  FIRE BLADE 2017 is but a waypoint in the Programme’s objective of continuous improvement of European helicopter operational capability.  

The job now is to build on this excellent foundation as we move forward to the next exercise in Portugal in June 2018.
 

More information:

• Fact Sheet Exercise FIRE BLADE 2017
• Helicopter Initiatives (EDA project page)
• 11th EDA Helicopter Exercise “FIRE BLADE” ready for take-off in Hungary!

 

At the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) ministerial Steering Board which met this Thursday morning under the chairmanship of HR/VP Federica Mogherini in her capacity as Head of the Agency, Defence ministers endorsed the conclusions & recommendations of EDA’s Long Term Review (LTR), approved the establishment the Cooperative Financial Mechanism (CFM) as an EDA Ad-Hoc Cat A programme and encouraged the Agency to continue, together with the EEAS, its work on the definition of the planned Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD).

The Long Term Review (LTR) conclusions and recommendations endorsed by Ministers will reinforce the Agency to keep it fit for purpose in the light of upcoming, more ambitious tasks and challenges deriving from the EU’s new Global Strategy.

Set to be implemented over the coming months, the agreed measures will strengthen the EDA as the main intergovernmental prioritisation instrument at EU level in support of capability development, with a more output-oriented Capability Development Plan (CDP) and a key role in operating the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD).

They also will enhance the EDA as the preferred cooperation forum and management support structure at EU level to engage in technology and capability development activities, ranging from R&T to critical enablers, exercise and training as well as support to operations, including the industrial dimension. The Agency is also to be reinforced as an interface between Member States and EU institutions and as a central operator for EU-funded defence-related activities such as, for example, the upcoming Preparatory Action on defence research and the future European Defence Research Programme.

 

Cooperative Financial Mechanism (CFM)

Ministers welcomed the financial and legal package presented by the Agency and approved the setting up of an Cooperative Financial Mechanism as an EDA Ad-Hoc CAT A programme. Negotiations with Member States on a Programme Arrangement will start soon. The EDA was invited to report to the Steering Board on progress made during these negotiations before the signature of the Programme Arrangement.

The objective of the Cooperative Financial Mechanism, to which contributing Member States would participate and contribute on a strictly voluntary basis, is to incentivize defence cooperation by overcoming the lack of budgetary synchronisation between Member States and the problems that this causes for the launch of cooperative defence cooperation projects. Experience has shown that unsynchronized budget availability at the launch phase of a collaborative programme is one of the key challenges.

Through the CFM, Member States can support each other via a system of reimbursable advances and deferred payments. The mechanism can also be used more widely as a hub for managing investments, such as EDA R&T projects, and ring-fencing resources allocated for cooperative purposes. It will facilitate the launch of collaborative projects and have positive repercussions in capability, technological and industrial terms.

 

Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD)

Ministers welcomed the work carried out by the EDA, in close cooperation with EEAS, on the definition of the scope, principles, methodology and detailed modalities of the CARD which will start with a trial run as of this autumn. The Agency was encouraged to pursue this work. Minister agreed to present a report on the trial run to the Steering Board in November 2018.

The CARD aims at facilitating Member States delivering in particular on EU capability development priorities agreed in the framework of the Capability Development Plan (CDP). The CARD will also allow Defence Ministers to regularly take stock of the European capability development landscape, assess progress in cooperative capability development to date and share information on defence spending plans.

 

Engagement with industry, other topics

Ministers endorsed EDA’s revised approach towards establishing a structured dialogue and enhanced engagement with industry based on a set of priority actions focused on the capability development process, exercises, R&T prioritization, innovation, SES/SESAR, Key Strategic Activities and support to industry. These priorities will guide the 2017-2018 activities of EDA in relation to industry. The Steering Board tasked the Agency with presenting an assessment report of these priorities and their implementation in November 2018.

Ministers also welcomed the work already conducted by the EDA on the Preparatory Action on Defence Research, with the Delegation Agreement expected to be signed end of May. Ministers also took stock of the Agency’s main cooperative programmes (such as, for example, Air-to-Air Refuelling, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems - RPAS, GovSatCom and Cyberdefence) and reviewed the progress made in other projects within the portfolio of more than 50 capability projects currently run by the EDA.

On June 8 the new European Tactical Airlift Centre (ETAC) will be officially opened by Head of the EDA, High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini and Minister of Defence of Spain Dolores de Cospedal. ETAC represents one of the largest transfers of a project, created and developed by the EDA, to one of its Member States on a permanent basis. 

Zaragoza will officially become the home of the European Air Transport Fleet (EAFT) Programme on June 8th in a ceremony marking the transfer of this project from the EDA to Spain. Created in 2011 by EDA, and signed by 20 participating nations, the EATF partnership aims to increase the EU’s airlift capabilities by addressing shortages and increasing interoperability. The establishment of a permanent multinational airlift training centre (ETAC) marks a major step forward in European defence collaboration in the critical capability domain of tactical airlift. 

An EDA first: Joint Deployment of EAATTC 17-3 and 3D Printing Lab 

The third European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course for 2017 (EAATTC 17-3), hosted by the Spanish Airforce at Zaragoza airbase will run from 28 May to 9 June 2017. This edition of EAATTC gathers five aircraft from four different countries (Belgium: C130; Germany: C160; Poland C130 and Spain: C295 and C130). This training aims to provide air transport crews with a robust airlift tactics training syllabus in order to enhance interoperability between European air forces. The graduation ceremony for participating aircrew will take place as part of the opening of the ETAC on June 8 2017.

As part of EDA’s approach to explore new avenues for defence cooperation and enabling technologies, its innovative project on 3D printing in defence will be deployed as part of EAATTC 17-3. The project, officially titled “Additive Manufacturing Feasibility Study & Technology Demonstration”, aims to assess the areas where Additive Manufacturing (AM) (3D printing)  can have a positive impact on defence capabilities and to demonstrate its feasibility. 

The second work strand of this project is a technology demonstration of AM in a simulated deployment scenario. Its aim is to demonstrate the feasibility and operational utility of deploying these technologies in support of a military operation. The deployment of the 3D printing lab represents a significant step in bridging the data gap on 3D printer performance in deployed conditions and will demonstrate the operational utility of these technologies. 

First of all the lab will be deployed on a test flight to examine its feasibility to be deployed by air. During the exercise the lab technicians will interact with the officials deployed at EAATTC 17-3, presenting the possibilities offered by the equipment, and identifying in a close dialogue with them what are the main needs in an operation that could be fulfilled with an AM facility. Together, the technicians the officials will select a number of different test parts to be produced on site and on demand, with different grades of complexity. 

The project represents a clear example of how cross-fertilization of ideas from different domains, from R&T to operations, will enhance defence capabilities, especially when supporting deployed missions. The overall study has the objective of raising awareness in the defence community and of promoting a better understanding of the potential held by these technologies, thereby stimulating their implementation in defence specific areas.

Media Day – June 8
Members of the media can avail of a special one day media flight from Brussels to Zaragoza airbase (kindly provided by the Belgian Ministry of Defence) for the opening of ETAC. All details can be found here. 

On June 8 EDA will be live from Zaragoza airbase for special coverage of the opening of ETAC. 

Throughout the day we will be bringing you live updates on twitter of the opening ceremony, graduation of aircrews, interviews and visits to the 3D printing lab. 
Visit our twitter page (@EUDefenceAgency) and get involved using #EUdefence.  
 

More information:

• EDA consultation to identify impact of 3D-printing technologies in defence
• EDA letter - support to Additive Manufacturing feasibility study & technology demonstration
• EDA news on the AM kick-off meeting (December 2016)

   

The second Conference on Test and Evaluation (T&E) was held in Vienna on 24-27 April 2017 with the title “European priorities - challenges and opportunities for a large EU network of T&E Centres“.

Building on the success of the first conference held in Rome in 2014, the Vienna conference was attended by around 100 experts from 17 EDA Member States, the European defence industry, and the European Commission, as well as NATO representatives. The aim was to provide a forum for the T&E community to exchange ideas, information and experiences.

The conference was opened by Lieutenant General Norbert Gehart, Armament Director, Austrian Federal Ministry for National Defence and Sport, and Mr Rini Goos, Deputy Chief Executive, European Defence Agency, and was hosted by the Austrian Armament and Defence Technology Agency. The conference sessions were moderated by the EDA Cooperation Panning and Support Director Mr. Roland Van Reybroeck, together with members of the Defence Test and Evaluation Base (DTEB) Plenary Group.

Current challenges for T&E requirements derived from the Capability Development Plan (CDP) in the wider context of the under the EU Global Strategy provided the basis for more than 20 presentations and interactive discussions among conference participants. European T&E cooperation examples and visits to Austrian test facilities provided practical insights and the opportunity to exchange experiences and lessons learned.

Main results of the conference included the acknowledgment of common challenges facing the T&E community and the need for a large European network of test facilities. Test and evaluation was recognized as a key enabler in support ofEU capability development priorities contributing to the objectives of the EU Global Strategy Implementation Plan on Security and Defence. The conference encouraged participating Member States to enhance cooperation and coordination of T&E initiatives under the EDA umbrella, to improve awareness of existing T&E capabilities, to explore opportunities for civil and military cooperation and to maintain and further develop key skills and competences in the T&E domain to the largest extent possible.

Background

The Test and Evaluation Community Days Conference is an EDA initiative held every three years in cooperation with a participating Member State. It brings together experts from Europe’s government Test Centres, project managers, T&E Directors, and European Defence Technology Industry Base (DTIB) representatives to exchange information, learn from each other and initiate new T&E projects, and create strategic networks to support EU forces.

 

More information:

• EDA prepares inter-laboratory test round to counter electromagnetic effects on operations (News, July 2016)
• Inaugural Test and Evaluation conference delivers results (December 2014)

EDA has opened a call for submissions from defence industry representatives on the topic of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS). This call is in response to the agreement between EDA defence ministers to develop a more structured and regular dialogue with industry. In this domain, the EDA has developed an approach that is supported by Member States and invites defence industry representatives and research institutes to respond to the call for papers (attachment below). Submissions must be sent to the EDA by the 16th of June 2017.  

The aim of the process is to enrich the CDP long-term view with industry inputs on the long term perspective of the industrial and technological outlook for specific capability areas. This will not be a forum for discussing the commercial aspects of current systems but a dialogue intended to explore the long-term (20 years ahead) aspects of military warfare focused on Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS).

The EDA will hold a one day workshop on the 12th of September 2017. Selected industry representatives will be invited to share their views of long-term outlooks focusing on the questions listed in the questionnaire.  Speakers will be selected based on this call for papers, which will be evaluated by the EDA. Submissions are sought from as wide as possible a range of industries involved in aspects of development related to RPAS. Though responses to all questions in the questionnaire are encouraged, submitters may develop answers to specific questions in greater detail based on their area of expertise. This will allow thematic discussion panels to be formed. Submissions will be judged on their innovativeness and relevance as well as ability to stimulate discussion on the future role of RPAS in the military context. Participation in this call for papers is open to companies of any size as well as academic, semi-governmental research institutes and associations or grouping of industrial suppliers.     
 

How to submit 

Download the call for papers here: Annex to EDA201705069 - CDP Industry Questionnaire

Send your completed files to  cps@eda.europa.eu with a copy to aleksandrs.bucens@eda.europa.eu 

Deadline for submissions is the 16th of June 2017 

Contact point 

Aleksandrs BUCENS

Project Officer Cooperation Planning Strategic Analysis

 

aleksandrs.bucens@eda.europa.eu

+32 2 504 28 37 

The European Defence Agency is pleased to invite you to the official opening of the new European Tactical Airlift Centre (ETAC) on June 8th in Zaragoza. We are delighted that Head of the EDA, High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini and Minister of Defence of Spain Dolores de Cospedal will official open the ETAC. They will be joined by EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq, Members of the EU Military Committee and representatives of European Ministries of Defence. The Belgian Ministry of Defence is kindly providing a complementary flight (Brussels-Zaragoza-Brussels) on June 8th for members of the press.

Press opportunities

Opening of the ETAC: marks a significant moment in European defence cooperation. ETAC represents the largest transfer of a project, created and developed by the EDA, to one of its Member States on a permanent basis. Zaragoza will officially become the home of the European Air Transport Fleet (EAFT) Programme, created in 2011 by EDA and currently numbers 20 participating nations. The opening of the ETAC is a fundamental step forward in European defence collaboration in the critical capability domain of tactical airlift.

EAATTC 17-3 Static Display and Presentation: The third European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course for 2017 (EAATTC 17-3), hosted by Spain, will also draw to a close on June 8th. This edition of EAATTC gathers four aircraft from four different countries (Belgium, Germany, Spain and Poland). This training aims to provide air transport crews with a robust airlift tactics training syllabus in order to enhance interoperability between European air forces. The media day offers members of the press an opportunity to learn more about this training exercise, European capabilities in military airlift and interact with the crews and planes involved during the static display. 

Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) in defence: ETAC Media Day on June 8th also offers the opportunity to discover more of EDA’s work in defence innovation. EDA will deploy its new 3D printing lab as part of a project project’s to assess the areas where Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) can have a positive impact on defence capabilities and to demonstrate its feasibility. The lab’s deployment to seeks to bridge the data gap on 3D printer performance in deployed conditions and will demonstrate the operational utility of these technologies in a realistic operational environment.

Registration for Media Flight & Programme 

A full press programme will be communicated closer to the date, however departure of the flight is expected between 07:30 - 08:30 from Melsbroek Airbase returning between 17:00 - 18:00. Final times will be confirmed at a later date. The EDA is coordinating media registration for the complementary flight* on June 8th. 

Members of the press can apply for a seat on the media flight by contacting: Mr Paul Quinn (paul.quinn@eda.europa.eu) EDA Media and Communication Officer.

Registration will close on May 22 2017. 

*Seats are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. 

Flight time to Zaragoza is approximately 2 hours. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. 

We very much hope you will be able to attend and look forward to welcoming you for the Opening of the European Tactical Airlift Centre. 

Contact point

Paul QUINN, Media & Communication Officer

European Defence Agency
Rue des Drapiers 17-23
B-1050 Brussels (Belgium) 

Tel: ++3225042842
paul.quinn@eda.europa.eu

On May 5th, the Project Arrangement (PA) for the first ever Cyber Defence Pooling & Sharing Project was signed by all eleven contributing Member States. The Cyber Ranges Federation Project brings together Austria, Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden  under the co-lead of the Netherlands, Finland and Greece. The project originates from an EDA initiative and will be carried out under the EU pooling & sharing agenda with support from EDA. The core aims of the project include: increasing the availability of existing and emerging cyber range facilities; increasing the occupation rate and efficiency of cyber ranges and platforms;  mainstream and improve cyber defence training, exercises and testing at European level. Under this PA, the objectives will be achieved in a spiral approach over the next 36 months.

The Cyber Ranges Federation Project is the first of four Cyber Defence Projects launched so far under the Pooling & Sharing agenda. While other projects such as Improved Cyber Situation Awareness, improved Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) detection, and pooling of Member States’ demand for private sector-provided cyber training are still in the preparation phase, the Cyber Ranges Federation Project is the first cyber defence related collaborative EDA project that is moving from the preparation phase to the implementation phase.

A total of 30 work packages are foreseen for the project, divided between two spirals. Work on the first spiral, composed of 19 different work packages, will commence with the first meeting of the Project Management Committee under the lead of the Netherlands. Spiral 1 is expected to be completed within 18 months. The remaining 11 work packages will be completed after a review of the results of spiral 1 under the lead of Finland in spiral 2. It is expected that the projects will substantially contribute to improving the quality and authenticity of cyber defence related education, training and exercise formats for all stakeholders in Europe. This will be achieved by providing on the one hand wide ranging and capable technical platforms and on the other by establishing a European community of experts on up-to-date cyber defence training and exercises. 

The sharing of knowledge and best practice is also an implicit objective of the project. In doing so, the Cyber Ranges Federation will also be supported by an EDA developed web-based Cyber Defence Training and Exercise Coordination Platform (CD TEXP), which is expected to be operational by the end of this year. In addition to training and exercise support, the cyber ranges can also be effectively employed in the areas of research as well as modelling, simulation and testing. Project preparation was observed by NATO, and in the light of the NATO-EU Joint Declaration, additional ways for cooperation with the project of NATO to establish its own cyber range capacity will be sought by the contributing Member States.  
 

Background

The success of military operations, including EU-led operations, is increasingly dependent on the availability of, and access to, cyberspace. The EU Cyber Security Strategy 2013 recognizes Cyber Defence as one of the strategic priorities of the EU and Heads of State and Governments decided in December 2013 that Cyber Defence should be one of four key areas for capability development.  An essential element of EU cyber defence capability is highly skilled and well-trained personnel. Enhancing awareness and education of technicians, operators and decision-makers is urgent. Cyber ranges to support training and exercises are both essential and scarce. In the 2014 Capability Development Plan, the scarceness of cyber range facilities in support of Training and Exercises was recognized as an important capability gap that urgently needs resolution. The now established project serves to close this capability gap. Pooling & Sharing projects are an integral means for closing capability gaps in the cyber domain. 

 

More information:

• Cyber: EDA, ENISA, EC3 and CERT-EU discuss future cooperation
• EDA supports Operation Sophia with Cyber Awareness Seminars (webnews November 2016)
• Cyber Defence (EDA project page)
• Cyber defence factsheet

Today (10 May 2017) the OHQ EUNAVFOR MED Operation SOPHIA with the sponsorship of the European Defence Agency hosted the Maritime Surveillance Networking (MARSUR) Live Demonstration at the OHQ in Rome. MARSUR Networking was designed to enhance the  Recognized Maritime Picture and to support CSDP Operations. Following its launch in 2006, MARSUR has grown to become EDA’s longest running project, with 17 EU Member States plus Norway now forming the MARSUR Community. Today’s capability demonstration was attended by 30 distinguished guests from 15 EU Member States and Norway plus representatives from the EUMC, EMSA and the EU SATCEN. The forum was also addressed by EDA Deputy Chief Executive Mr. Rini GOOS and the EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Luc-Marie LEFEBVRE.

The key enabler for maritime operations is having the maritime information needed to operate on dangerous seas. Within this challenging domain, decision-makers need to receive the information they need in a readily usable format, allowing to them incorporate different data and information from civilian and military actors. To respond to this need an innovate capability that allows actors to exchange operational data, which in turn enhances situation awareness, was created by EDA, MARSUR. Speaking before the launch of the live demonstration, EDA Deputy Chief Executive Mr. Rini Goos addressed the forum and highlighting how MARSUR represents a vital aspect of EDA’s strong commitment to supporting the naval aspects of European defence. “The link between Operation SOPHIA and MARSUR is the perfect example of constructive and targeted efforts to implement the EU Maritime Security Strategy, ensuring overarching information exchange among European actors in a cross-sectoral and comprehensive way. This interaction with multiple maritime security stakeholders and the backing it provides to EUMMS’ vision, makes MARSUR and SOPHIA’s endeavor an excellent implementation example of the goals and principles we have set for our Union in the maritime domain.” 

For the first time, the event brought together the input provided by Member States via the respective Maritime Operations Center’s (MOCs) and demonstrated how they can be used to create a comprehensive Maritime Situation Picture. At the live capability demonstration, EUNAVFOR MED Operation SOPHIA Deputy Operation Commander stressed the role and relevance of Operation SOPHIA and its dependance on maritime situational awareness. The success of Operation SOPHIA depends on a large extent on the cooperation of EU Member States which is true for the recognized maritime picture profiting from the input of the MARSUR Networking, as well.

In building the demonstration, a storyboard created for this event outlining the contribution of several MARSUR Participating Member States (PMS) over several months with information gathered in the MOCs by naval assets not assigned to Operation SOPHIA providing valuable input to the Operations situational awareness. The picture quickly filled up with relevant information in a short time. 6 MOCs corresponded to specific requests by relevant core services offered by the MARSUR capability: Live Chat, Email, Voice of IP and Track Streaming were specific services provided, and helped to add, analyse and deal with suspicious or otherwise relevant tracks in Operation SOPHIA. Even PMS without a completely developed MARSUR capability were able to contribute by helping to identify different Vessels of Common Interest (VCI) or providing amplifying information about their movement. 

During today’s live demonstration, a mobile component of the MARSUR capability was presented - a German Auxiliary Vessel assigned to Operation SOPHIA, the FGS RHEIN, demonstrated the use of the MARSUR capability as a maritime situational awareness tool installed on a potential Force Headquarter afloat. 
With some further support and integration into national systems MARSUR could become a most valuable tool for any future CSDP Operation, making best use of naval units already deployed in an area of responsibility not part of the Operation. Pointing to this aspect, Mr. Rini Goos commented, “I am certain that this standard of European concerted effort will be taken further because, as the demonstration will show, the use of the MARSUR capability could become a blueprint for any future CSDP Operation.” 

The significance of the live demonstration at OHQ EUNAVFOR MED SOPHIA has also helped to advance the trust and close cooperation among Navy MOCs in Europe, uniting a common European cause pursued through Operation SOPHIA. 

 

Background 

 

EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA

EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA, launched in June 2015, presents its core task to contribute to wider EU efforts to disrupt the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Southern Central Mediterranean. To date, we have apprehended 109 suspected smugglers and traffickers and neutralized 426 boats, preventing them from being re-used by smugglers. Additionally, from October 2016, we are fully involved in the training of the Libyan Navy and Libyan Navy Coast Guard and in the implementation of the arms embargo off the coast of Libya according to UNSCR 2292(2016).
 

European Defence Agency

The European Defence Agency was established under a Joint Action of the Council of Ministers on 12 July, 2004, "to support the Member States and the Council in their effort to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and develops in the future”. It is an Agency of the EU. Visit us: www.eda.europa.eu 

 

More information:

• EDA workshop on MARSUR capabilities held in Rome
• Maritime Surveillance (EDA project page)
• European Defence Agency supports CSDP operations
• European maritime surveillance network reaches operational status

This Saturday 6 May, the European Defence Agency (EDA) participates in the 'EU Open Day'. Pass by and meet the EDA staff at information stand 27 in the building of the European External Action Service (EEAS) at Rond Point Schuman in Brussels.

Every year, the European Union celebrates peace and unity on 'Europe Day'. The event marks the anniversary of the 'Schuman Declaration', outlining a vision to unite separate European states into a single community.The public is invited to visit the main European institutions in Brussels on 6 May.

For more information on the celebrations in Brussels, click here.

EU Open Day at the European External Action Service

Time: 10.00 - 18.00 hrs
Address: EEAS Building, 9A Rond Point Schuman, 1000 Brussels

The larger a military operation is in size (Member States, troops, equipment involved), the more sophisticated and complete the medical support tends to be. The military medical support options in Europe used to be designed and optimised for military operations of a larger scale. For some of the current missions conducted in the context of the European Union’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), such as antipiracy or training missions, a far smaller number of personnel has to be deployed than in the operations mentioned above.

Against that background EDA carried out the study “Medical Support to Light Footprint Operations” which involved EDA’s ‘Project Team Medical’ and other Ad Hoc Medical Working Groups. The key issue investigated by the study was to keep the quality of medical support at the highest possible level for missions of smaller scale.

The overarching goal was to provide participating Member States with the analytical means to identify new ways of providing effective medical support to so-called ‘Light Footprint Operations’ (LFO) in the context of CSDP. As LFOs are not formally described in current EU or NATO doctrines, there is no agreed set of principles or best practices to tailor medical support to this type of missions.

The study commissioned by EDA analysed key elements of LFOs provides recommendations on a way forward on how to tailor and improve medical support for LFOs, namely:

• EU Medical Concept - requirements for medical support for LFOs and best practices for the provision of medical support must be introduced into the current EU Medical Concept;
• Further harmonization of qualification, material and concepts – based on lessons identified in recent CSDP missions, including difficulties and major obstacles, the study describes options for improved interoperability between units providing medical support, including to facilitate harmonisation and standardisation;
• Categorization of Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF) - based on lessons identified in recent CSDP missions, the study analyzed that the concept of allocation roles should be revisited to consider modularization of medical units as a cost-effective way;
• New technologies and research activities - the study indicates opportunities for multinational cooperation in development and research activities for new technologies, that could be used for both reduce the footprint of medical support in LFOs and the improvement of medical care;
• Engagement between military and civilian medical community - the study identified a number of crossovers in the domains of training of medical professionals and the make-up of deployed medical staff, medical practices of information sharing and medical technologies. To address the synergies and concerns, the study suggests that EDA should seek opportunities to serve as a forum to build trust between the consumers of the technology, the developers and the manufacturers.

 

More information:

• Medical support (EDA project page) 
• EDA symposium discusses EU deploy capabilities for CSDP operations (EDA webnews, June 2016)