BRUSSELS, November 14. /TASS/. The EU will hold the second field exercise of its rapid deployment forces in Germany from November 25 to December 10, the EU diplomatic service said in a statement.

"Fifteen EU member states and more than 1,700 soldiers will participate," the statement said.

The aim is to test the interoperability of units from various EU countries in planning and conducting common operations.

The maneuvers will be held on three levels: strategic, tactical and operational and include a field deployment of a battlegroup consisting of mountain infantry, regular infantry, medical units and service support troops.

Once fully operational in 2025, the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity will be able to deploy 5,000 soldiers to respond to any crisis outside the EU’s borders. It should be able to act without the support of NATO, US, UK and Canadian forces. On November 13, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell told the European Parliament the EU will transform from a purely economic bloc to a military alliance.