EU Defence Cooperation releases list of PESCO projects for Land Systems Area.

According to information released by the European Union Defense Cooperation on November 16, 2021, the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) has published the list of all defense and security projects to be undertaken under the PESCO. As a result, 14 new projects will be added to the list of the 46 existing ones that have been developed under PESCO since December 2017. In this article, we provide details about PESCO programs for the land systems area.
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The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is part of the European Union's (EU) security and defense policy (CSDP) in which 25 of the 27 national armed forces pursue structural integration.(Picture source PESCO)

For the Land Systems Area, the PECSO projects include the Deployable Military Disaster Relief Capability Package (DMDRCP) with the goal to establish a specialized military assets package deployable at short notice within both EU-led and non-EU led operations, in order to generate a mission tailored Task Force (TF), as a tool to properly face emergencies and exceptional events (public calamities, natural disasters, pandemics, etc.) within EU territory and outside of it.

Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle / Amphibious Assault Vehicle / Light Armoured Vehicle: The project will develop and build a prototype European Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle / Amphibious Assault Vehicle / Light Armoured Vehicle. The vehicles would be based on a common platform and would support fast deployment maneuver, reconnaissance, combat support, logistics support, command and control, and medical support. These new vehicles will also strengthen the EU CSPD ensuring, at the same time, interoperability among European armies.

Indirect Fire Support: The Indirect Fire Support (EuroArtillery) will develop a mobile precision artillery platform, which would contribute to the EU's combat capability requirement in military operations. This platform is expected to include land battle decisive ammunition, non-lethal ammunition, and a common fire control system for improving coordination and interoperability in multi-national operations. This project aims at procuring a new capability/platform of a key mission component for land forces in the short to mid-term.

EUFOR Crisis Response Operation Core (EUFOR CROC): This PESCO project will decisively contribute to the creation of a coherent full spectrum force package, which could accelerate the provision of forces. EUFOR CROC will improve the crisis management capabilities of the EU by enhancing the force generation preparedness, willingness and commitment of EU member states to act and engage in operations and missions. It should fill in progressively the gap between the EU Battlegroups and the highest level of ambition within the EU Global Strategy.

Integrated Unmanned Ground System (iUGS): The objective of the Project is to develop an Unmanned Ground System (UGS) capable of manned-unmanned and unmanned-unmanned teaming with other robotic unmanned platforms and manned vehicles to provide combat support (CS) and combat service support (CSS) to ground forces. The UGS will have the following capabilities: (1) Modular, multi-mission capable UGV on which a variety of payloads can be mounted to support various mission functionalities (transport, fire-support, ISR, EW&C, etc.) and integration for required sensors and communication systems. (2) EW resistant networking Command, Control & Communications (C3) solution. (3) Cyber secure autonomous functions solution.

EU Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS) Land Battlefield Missile Systems: The project aims at developing an EU new generation medium-range BLOS Land Battlefield missile systems family. The output is intended to be integrated on an extensive variety of platforms (ground-to-ground and air-to-ground) and to provide integrated and autonomous target designation capability. The project includes joint training and formation aspects. A dedicated “users’ club” is envisioned to develop a common European doctrine on BLOS firing.

Main Battle Tank Simulation and Testing Center (MBT-SIMTEC): The project aims at the establishment of an MBT (Main Battle Tank) simulation center, based on existing national infrastructure, in order to: provide training in relevant simulation systems, test-create new tactics, concepts, doctrines and standardization, define specifications on the development of new MBT subcomponents and further develop Modelling & Simulation capabilities, including networking with the training centers of the potential project members and designing/developing a modular MBT simulation system based on COTS hardware equipment and software.

EU Military Partnership (EU MilPart): The aim of the project is to improve European capacity to commit alongside and sustain partners’ military forces. It could serve as a platform for the EU Member States and relevant EU actors to exchange on national cultures and strategies, share information and discuss best practices about Military Partnership (Advise, Train, Equip, Accompany, Reform) with a view to rebuilding partners’ military institutions.