Matt Carthy
Question:41. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of volunteers secured to participate in an EU battle group. [22047/24]
View answerThursday, 16 May 2024
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Written answers
Military management has advised that 104 EU Battlegroup appointments have been made to date, and the expectation is that the remaining posts will be fully filled in the coming months in advance of the first EU Battlegroup 2025 training exercise in Germany in the autumn.
It is currently foreseen that the total number of the proposed Defence Forces contribution to the German-led EU Battlegroup in 2024/2025 will be approximately 188 personnel. This will be comprised of a Group HQ consisting of 4 personnel, Mechanised Infantry Company (with a Company HQ, Infantry platoons and a weapons platoon consisting of 139 personnel) together with a National Support Element (consisting of 29 persons providing the necessary transport, medical, CIS, maintenance and ordnance support) and staff posts of 10 personnel to the Force Headquarters. This overall number includes the potential for a further 6 personnel posts in a National Logistics Support Group to be based in Germany to aid the transport of Defence Forces equipment.
The Operational Headquarters (OHQ) will be located in Ulm, Germany, while the Force Headquarters (FHQ) is based in Strasbourg, France. Nine Defence Forces personnel commenced their posting to the FHQ in January of this year.