06 June 2025
The Operational Procedures Team (OPT) of the European Critical Communication System (EUCCS) Preparation Programme conducted a large-scale field trial 27-28 of May at the Swedish Police Training Centre in Rosersberg, near Stockholm. Led by the Swedish Police and inspired by a real-life incident, the exercise brought together emergency responders from seven European countries, highlighting a significant step forward in developing a unified European critical communications framework. The
scenario simulated a drug smuggling exercise crossing borders of three different countries. The aim of the test was to gather evidence and intelligence across the three countries from several agencies, resulting ultimately in the coordinated simultaneous arrest in each country.
The trial involved 62 participants, including 22 field responders representing a wide range of services – police (including commanders, dispatchers, border police, narcotics units, and maritime police), fire and rescue, ambulance (incident command and dispatch), and customs. The scenario was inspired by a real case of drug seizure in Ireland in 2023.[1] Padraig Mullarkey who was part of the team from An Garda Síochána that led the Operation in Ireland helped shape the scenario.
The key objective of the trial was to test how MCX (Mission Critical Services) tools improve collaboration, communication, shared situational awareness and build a sense of safety for first responders and to understand how operational procedures need to adjust to build operational value.
“It was great to see Responders from different countries and disciplines working in their own environment, trialling the interconnected MCX technology, cooperating with patched talkgoups, sharing pictures and video. They gave honest feedback about what works, what doesn’t work so well, and how the
tools can be improved, the work of OPT becomes increasingly important as we prepare the ground for EUCCS!”
David Lund, Project Coordinator of EUCCS Preparation.
“We were happy to host this important pilot trial, with so many participants from different countries. For EUCCS to be a success it’s essential that we do this together, with many countries and agencies represented. This is a win-win for us, as we learn key lessons that also applies our national cross-agency work within Sweden, building our knowledge for the transition from Tetra to 5G.”
Julia von Heijne, IT department, Swedish Police Authority.
“An Garda Síochána remains steadfast in its commitment to international cooperation, working alongside European counterparts to enhance security, uphold justice and combat transnational crime”
Padraig Mullarkey, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, An
Garda Síochána.
One week after PSCE conference presenting the progress of EUCCS programme, in Göteborg, a large trial was organised a few days later in Stockholm, where developments toward a comprehensive European Critical Communications Framework were highlighted.
Key elements presented included the evolving EU policy context, the support provided by the EUCCS preparation programme, National Test Management (NTM); government authority partners who manage the nationally deployed, and interconnected MCX testbeds. Two representatives – from the Dutch Police and Swedish Civil Protection – presented their collaboration with technology vendors in establishing eight testbeds to evaluate MCX interconnection, along with some initial findings.
The work of the OPT is essential for the success of the EUCCS programme. Another event will be organised during the second semester of 2025 to support the testing of MCX interconnections and the inter-agency and cross-border cooperation.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clm0l4zkp8eo
