Questions and answers concerning the Nordic Battlegroup and EU's battlegroups
- Why is Sweden framework nation for the Nordic Battlegroup?
- What is the composition of the Nordic Battlegroup?
- Why does the EU have battlegroups?
- What tasks will the battlegroup have?
- Are there risks for those who take part in a battlegroup?
- Who decides if an operation is to be launched?
- Who is in command of the Nordic Battlegroup/an EU battlegroup during an operation?
- What is the difference between an operation by a battlegroup and other peace-support operations?
Why is Sweden framework nation for the Nordic Battlegroup?
Since 1999, EU Member States have worked to build up resources within the framework of EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy so that the EU is able to carry out civilian and military peace-support operations in conflict areas outside the Union's borders. Sweden views the Nordic Battlegroup as an important contribution to the EU's capability to work for international peace and security.
UpWhat is the composition of the Nordic Battlegroup?
The Nordic Battlegroup will be on standby 24 hours a day from 1 January 2008 until 30 June 2008. The force consists of a total of 2 700 personnel from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Ireland and Estonia. Sweden is the Framework Nation for the battlegroup and in all Sweden participates with 2 300 personnel. This includes the core of the unit, which consists of a light mechanised infantry battalion of some 1 500 soldiers.
UpWhy does the EU have battlegroups?
At the 1999 European Council in Cologne, EU Heads of State and Government decided that the Union would develop a capacity to prevent and respond to conflicts by deploying civilian and military personnel on peace-support operations. The political ambition that the EU and its Member States should be able to take an active responsibility for peace-support operations was strengthened in connection with the European Council in Göteborg in 2004. Decisions were taken then on new goals for the Union's military crisis management capability; these goals are described in the document Headline Goal 2010. One of the main elements of this document is the establishment of battlegroups.
UpWhat tasks will the battlegroup have?
The battlegroup is to be deployable ten days after the Council has taken a decision to launch an operation. The force is to be able to remain in the deployment area for a maximum of 120 days. It is to be able to handle tasks that vary across the entire range of conflict scenarios, from rescue or humanitarian operations to armed combat in peace-enforcement situations. The EU has decided on four main tasks:
- Peace-enforcement operations
- Conflict prevention measures
- Support to humanitarian operations
- Evacuation operations
Are there risks for those who take part in a battlegroup?
All international operations involve risks. Being the first to enter a deployment area can mean that the soldiers will operate in dangerous situations. In order to handle high-risk tasks, the personnel will be well-trained and have the necessary equipment.
UpWho decides if an operation is to be launched?
Decisions to deploy a battlegroup are taken by the EU Council of Ministers. These decisions are taken unanimously in the Council, which means that all EU Member States must be in agreement for an operation to be carried out. Alongside the decision-making process in the EU, decisions are also taken at national level. The national decision-making processes differ between various Member States.
UpWho is in command of the Nordic Battlegroup/an EU battlegroup during an operation?
The Political and Security Committee (PSC), in which EU countries are represented at ambassador level, is responsible for the political and strategic command of an operation. The Operation Commander is responsible for the strategic military command of the force and the Force Commander is responsible for the operative command in the field.
UpWhat is the difference between an operation by a battlegroup and other peace-support operations?
A distinctive characteristic of an operation by an EU battlegroup is that it is to be deployable on very short notice. The first part of the force is to be on the ground in the deployment area ten days after a decision to launch an operation has been taken. Another difference is that an operation involving one of the EU's battlegroups cannot last longer than 120 days.
It is likely that a battle group will be deployed in close cooperation with the UN, either as an initial force before another UN force is in place or as temporary reinforcement of an existing UN force.
