As of 1 July 2025, EUROCORPS officially entered the Express Readiness Phase as the Force Headquarters (FHQ) for EU Battlegroup 2025 (EUBG 25). This designation places EUROCORPS on heightened alert, fully prepared to mobilise within 10 days to support EU missions or respond to emerging crises worldwide. This milestone in the operational trajectory of Eurocorps confirms its key role within the European Union’s rapid reaction architecture.
EU Battlegroups are multinational military formations, designed for swift action with the capacity to project force up to 6,000 km from Brussels. They are prepared for missions including crisis stabilisation, evacuation support, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, amongst others.
Under the EU’s Strategic Compass (adopted in 2022), EUBG has being enhanced into a more robust Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC). This new RDC can mobilise up to 5,000 troops across air, land, maritime, cyber, and space domains. For EUBG 25 Germany serves as the framework (lead) nation, with 17 EU member States contributing troops in various different branches.
A Two-Phase Operational Preparation
Prepared to lead a crisis management mission under the EU flag, Eurocorps conducted a series of high-level exercises that strengthened its ability to plan, command and support a complex military operation beyond the EU’s borders.
In December 2024, Eurocorps conducted MILEX 24, a Command Post Exercise (CPX) held at the Bergen Training Area in Germany. The scenario focused on a crisis management operation outside EU borders, with the primary goal of validating Eurocorps’ ability to operate under EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) procedures. This included the Operational planning in co-ordination with the Military Planning and Conduct Capability at a strategic level, the development of a Joint Operations Plan and Leading a military mission within a civil-military context and multinational environment.
As part of its continued operational build-up, Eurocorps conducted a second exercise in Hungary in April 2025, focused this time on the entry into theatre and tactical-level command of deployed forces. The central theme of this exercise was the multinational logistical manoeuvre, a crucial component of any large-scale deployment. This training validated Eurocorps’ ability to command forward-deployed units in initial operational phases, to coordinate multinational logistic flows and sustainment and to ensure mission readiness during early entry operations under real-world constraints. As a result of this exercise, EU officially declared the RDC operational.
Future Planning
In recognition of its operational excellence, the European Union has entrusted Eurocorps with the role of Force Headquarters for two additional consecutive alert periods:
- EUBG 2026: from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026;
- EUBG 2027: from 1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027.
These new missions underscore Eurocorps’ status as a reliable and experienced EU-level Force Headquarters, ensuring continuity, coherence and preparedness in the EU’s rapid reaction capability.
The core military contributions for EUBG 26 will come from Spain and Portugal, supported by additional partners. Spain is expected to take the lead as framework nation, while Portugal provides key land, air, and logistical elements.
The seamless handover between EUBG 25 and EUBG 26 ensures that the EU maintains an uninterrupted rapid reaction posture. With EUROCORPS providing consistent command and Spain–Portugal taking the operational lead, the EU demonstrates both continuity and adaptability in its military preparedness. This marks a significant step in moving from the traditional Battlegroup model toward a fully operational EU Rapid Deployment Capacity—a central pillar of Europe’s evolving security and defence ambitions.
A Credible Tool in the Hands of the EU
Eurocorps’ alert status as FHQ is a tangible contribution to the European Union’s ambition of enhancing strategic autonomy and developing a credible, rapidly deployable crisis response force.
By taking alert status for EUBG 2025, 2026 and 2027, Eurocorps is confirming its position as a pillar of European defence. Its operational ramp-up — marked by MILEX 24 in Germany and MILEX25 in Hungary — demonstrates its readiness, credibility and ability to operate under EU standards in today’s complex security environment.
