EU battle groups The European Union battle groups is a project done in the context of the European Security and Defense Policy, its aim being the creation of severals rapidly deployable units for international intervention and tasks reaching up to full-combat situations. A battle group is considered to be the smallest self-sufficient military unit that can be deployed and sustained in a theater of operation. Each battle group will be composed of 1500 combat soldiers plus support. It is desired that each battle group should be ready for launch in 10 days from command, and be in the theater of operations in 15 days. It must be sustainable for at least 30 days, which could be extended to 120 days with rotation. Under the Headline Goal 2010, adopted by EU defense ministers in Brussels in May 2004, six or seven such groups ought to be ready for operation by the year 2007, though the first few battle groups might be ready much sooner, by the year 2005. In 22 November, 2004, defense ministers met again in Brussels to announce their contributions, and the formation of thirteen such groups were announced. Larger member states will generally contribute their own battle groups, while smaller member are expected to create common groups. The thirteen battle groups planned to be formed will be composed by troops of the following nationalities: France Italy Spain United Kingdom France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain France and Belgium Germany, the Netherlands, Finland Germany, Czech Republic and Austria Italy, Hungary and Slovenia Poland, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal Sweden, Finland and Norway United Kingdom, and the Netherlands Estonia has indicated its willingness to participate and will continue consultations. Ireland said it will look into the possibility of participating. Each group will have a 'lead nation' which will take operational command, based on the model set up during the EU's peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Operation Artemis). Each group will also be associated with a headquarters. Some further details concerning the specific contributions include the following: Sweden and Finland announced the creation of a joint Nordic battle group. To make up the required 1500 number, they also urged Norway to contribute in the battle group. Even though Norway is not an EU member, it indicated interest in partaking in such defense projects. Recently however Norwegian legal experts have called into question the constitutionality of such participation. Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom, while travelling in Africa, stated that UK is ready to commit 1500 troops for the creation of a battle group, saying that Africa may in the future not be able to handle all crises, and in such cases international intervention will be required. Finland is expected to commit troops trained to combat chemical and biological weapons. Lithuania is expected to offer experts in water purification. Greece is pledging troops with maritime transport skills. The battle groups project is not to be confused with the European Rapid Reaction Force which concerns a number of up to 60.000 soldiers, deployable for at least a year. The battle groups are instead meant for extremely rapid deployment in international crises, probably preparing the ground for a larger and more traditional force to replace them in due time. See also European Security and Defense Policy European Rapid Reaction Force European Gendarmerie Force External links EU Defence Ministers finalise 'Battle Groups' Norwegian contribution brought into question Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. You must provide a link to http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html To view or edit this article at Wikipedia go to http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/EU_battle_groups