EU to develop RDC of up to 5,000 troops
A reaction force for the European Union is materializing.
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Photo by the European Defense Agency
On Monday, the European Union has approved the 'Strategic Compass': a new defense strategy that authorizes a Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) of up to 5,000 troops.
"In order to be able to act rapidly and robustly whenever a crisis erupts, with partners if possible and alone when necessary, the EU will: Establish a strong EU Rapid Deployment Capacity of up to 5000 troops for different types of crises … Conduct regular live exercises on land and at sea. Enhance military mobility," the EU said in a statement.
Furthermore, the Union also plans to put together a space strategy for security and defense, and "further develop the Cyber Diplomatic Toolbox and set up an EU Cyber Defence Policy to be better prepared for and respond to cyberattacks."
Read more: Ukraine crisis increases European demand for US drones, missiles
Just today, the European Union ramped up their support for the war by approving the purchase of $1.1 billion worth of lethal weapons for Ukraine.
Ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock added that “we see that additional support is needed, so we will make a political decision today that we will increase support from the European side by an additional billion so that Ukraine can purchase weapons itself."
Germany, for its part, will work to ensure that Ukraine buys weapons from German manufacturers as soon as possible.
