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EU Visegrad battle group assumes combat duty

Xinhua, January 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Visegrad EU Battle Group began its combat duty on Friday, which is to last until June 30th 2016.

According to the information provided by the press section of Polish Szczecin 12th Mechanized Division, the battle group will mostly consist of soldiers from this division, as well as assigned forces from Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

The total number is around 3900 soldiers, out of which the Poles contributes around a half, the Czech Republic approximately 800 soldiers, Hungary approximately 600 soldiers and Slovakia approximately 450 soldiers.

According to the battle group conception, the group was eventually to consist of 3000 soldiers.

Apart from the Polish 12th Mechanized Division from Szczecin, other units, including the 9th Reconnaissance Regiment from Lidzbark Warminski, 1st Aviation Brigade of the Inowroclaw land forces participate as well.

In May 2011 it was agreed that Poland was to chair the military group which would be ready for operations by 2016. A proper agreement was signed in 2014.

According to the principle, the group must be ready to relocate into the indicated region of crisis within 10 days and must be able to function within it for a period of between 30 to 120 days.

The group is mostly intended to attend to humanitarian missions, prevention and stabilization missions as well as maintaining peace. Endit