| Unit Name: | European Union Operations Centre |
| Type: | Operational headquarters |
| Dates: | 2012–2016[1] |
| Commander1: | Federica Mogherini |
| Commander1 Label: | High Repr. |
| Commander2: | Francisco Cornago Diufain[2] |
| Commander2 Label: | Head |
The European Union Operations Centre (EU OPCEN) was an ad-hoc, non-standing, non-commanding headquarters facilitating the planning and conduct of military operations deployed as part of the European Union's (EU) Common Security and Defence Policy (CFSP) that was active between 2012 and 2016.[3]
The OPCEN would be operational five days following a decision by the Council, and reach its full capability to command the operation after twenty days, at the latest.
The EU OPCEN was not formally part of the EU’s chains of command.[4]
From 2020, the OPCEN's role in executive operations will be transferred to the Military Planning and Conduct Capability.[5]
According to the Council Decision, the Mandate and tasks of the EU OPCEN are:
An EU OPCEN that is activated for a particular predominantly military operation may consist of a total of 103 officers and civilians who start planning after five days following a deployment decision by the Council. The EU OPCEN would reach its full capability to command the operation after twenty days, at the latest.
The staff of an activated EU OPCEN is composed of:
The present EU OPCEN Chief of Staff is Captain Francisco Cornago Diufain. Diufain succeeded the first head, Captain Ad van der Linde.[2]
In December 2004 the European Union Military Staff (EUMS) was tasked by the European Council to be ready to set up an EU OPCEN capable of planning and conducting an operation, in particular where a joint civil/military response is required and where no national HQ is identified. The responsibility for assuring this capability lies with the OPSCEN/WKC (Watching Keeping Capacity) Branch of the EUMS Operations Directorate. Since 1 January 2007, the EU Operation Centre is ready for activation by the Council for the conduct of autonomous operations.
EU OPCEN was first activated on 23 March 2012 by the Foreign Affairs Council in relation to three CSDP operations in the Horn of Africa. This mandate was later extended until the end of 2016 and expanded the geographical and functional scope to the entire Sahel region.[2]