Romania plays host to the Dacian Fall 2024 multinational exercise
Wide-scope multinational exercises carried in training ranges across Romania
Eugen Nasta, 30.10.2024, 14:00
Roughly 1,500 military from Belgium, France, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania and USA, for 17 days running carry activities in Romanian training ranges, in Cincu, Smârdan, Capu Midia and Bogata. The activities are integrated in the Dacian Fall 2024 multinational exercise.
The exercise is planned and run by the DAFA 24 Headquarters Multinational South-East Division. It targets the integration, at division level, of NATO forces and capabilities stationed on Romanian territory, but also the enhancement of structures’ interoperability for the coordination of military operations. The exercise is a seasonal one, planned and implemented for the consolidation of NATO’s role as deterrent on the Eastern flank.
Taking part in the exercise are forces of the Headquarters Multinational Brigade South-East, the French Task Force Brigade Headquarters, The Forward Command Element of the French Brigade, NATO Battle Group in Romania. Also taking part in the exercise are the 83rd Mixed Artillery Regiment and the 83rd Tactical Operative rocket-launching Battalion. Also involved in the exercise are elements of Romanian Air Forces, actually the IAR 330 Puma Socat and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircrafts of the 71st Airbase, and the Spanish Air Forces’ F-18 Hornet aircrafts, stationed in Romania to carry Enhanced Air Police Missions.
In 2024, the training sequence is a preparatory stage ahead of the Dacian Spring 2025 exercise, meant to strengthen NATO’s rapid deployment capacity on the Eastern flank. As part of the exercise, as an absolute first, in 10 days’ time France will deploy brigade-level forces and capabilities. Deterrence is a key element of NATO’s general strategy in a bid to prevent conflicts, but also with a view to protecting the Allies and maintaining their freedom of decision.
Three other F-16 Fighting Falcon aircrafts Romania purchased from Norway, on Thursday, October 24, landed in the 71st Airbase in Campia Turzii. The aircrafts will go to the 48th Fighter Squadron, being the fourth batch of three aircrafts that have arrived in the country. The reception of the entire batch will most likely be completed in a year.
The fighter jets are delivered in an operational condition, the available resource ensuring their operation for a timeframe of at least 10 years, which is the transition period towards the 5th-generation aircrafts. The purchase of aircrafts and of the goods and services package ensures the enhancement of national security through the defense of Romania’s national space and the North Atlantic Alliance’s eastern flank.
The Romanian National Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvăr, held a meeting with Turkey’s Defense Industry Agency president, Haluk Görgü. Talks focused on the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense. Special emphasis was laid on industrial partnerships and technology transfer. Minister Tilvar highlighted the recent achievements in the field, that including the purchase of the Bayraktar TB2 systems and the cooperation with Otokar arms company.
Two officers of the Sibiu-based “Nicolae Balcescu” Ground Forces Academy, in Madrid participated in the familiarization course focusing on the Sectorial Qualification Framework for the Profession of Army Officer. Organized under the aegis of the European Security and Defense College, the course focused on the formation of the basic skills required for the standardization of selected national military qualifications.
