On Monday 18 September 2023, the Director General of the European Union Military Staff (DG EUMS) and Director of Military Planning and Conduct Capability (D MPCC), Lieutenant General Michiel van der Laan, launched the Crisis Management Military Exercise 23 (MILEX 23) at the MPCC Operations Headquarters (OHQ) in Brussels.

The aim of MILEX 23 was to further enhance the EU’s military readiness to respond to external conflicts and crises. These five weeks focused on the planning and execution of an autonomous Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Executive Military operation in a hybrid threat environment.

However, this year saw the realization of the EU’s first Live Exercise (LIVEX) in Spain as part of MILEX 23. The addition of a LIVEX is a new departure within the context of the MILEX series.

It was the first EU-led LIVEX and is a key component in the development of the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC). A key deliverable of the EU’s implementation of the Strategic Compass is a fully operational EU RDC by 2025.

MILEX 23 entails two interlinked parts. The first part consists of a Command Post Exercise (CPX) that took place until Friday 6 October. This tested the military planning process at the military strategic and operational levels.

The second part is the LIVEX, which took place from Monday, October 16 to Sunday, October 22, 2023, where the EU Battle Group-sized force consisting of 31 units and 2800 personnel was deployed in a simulated Theatre of Operations in the province of Cadiz (Spain) and executed the Operational Plan developed during the CPX.

MILEX 23 is the culmination of almost 14 months of detailed planning and preparation, led by the Concepts and Capabilities Directorate of the EUMS. It has three different training audiences and is represented by 19 EU Member States in various HQ appointments, locations, exercise roles, and operational units.

Also read: HNDGS | Completion of National Large-Scale Joint Exercise “PARMENION – 23” – VIDEO & Photos