Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001535/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Petra Steger (PfE)
In March 2022, as part of the Strategic Compass it was decided to set up an EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) with a force of up to 5000 troops. The force was to be fully operational by 2025, including – as was expressly stated – outside EU territory. That fact inevitably conveys the impression that the foundations for an EU army are being surreptitiously laid – a scheme that not only is blatantly at odds with Austria’s permanent neutrality, but also weakens all Member States’ foreign and security policy sovereignty.
In the context of the EUR 800 billion ReArm Europe package, the question now is whether – overtly or covertly – an increase in the EU RDC budget is also being planned. To make matters worse, hardly any information has been publicly available about the actual development of the EU RDC since the initial announcement. That once again reveals a blatant lack of transparency on the part of the EU as regards one of its most sensitive security projects.
- 1.What is the state of play as regards planning arrangements for the EU RDC and its operationalisation?
- 2.Is there provision for a financial contribution for the EU RDC as part of the ReArm Europe package?
- 3.What legal and practical precautions is the Commission taking to ensure that neutral Member States do not become embroiled in international conflicts as a result of the EU RDC?
Submitted: 15.4.2025