NATO conducts “DACIAN FALL 2025” Multinational Exercise in Romania and Bulgaria

NATO conducts "DACIAN FALL 2025" Multinational Exercise in Romania and Bulgaria

Over 5,000 soldiers with 1,200 technical assets from ten Allied states - Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain - will participate in DACIAN FALL 2025 Multinational Exercise (DAFA 25), held on the territory of Romania and Bulgaria between October 20th and November 13th, 2025.

Planned by Headquarters Multinational Division South-East (HQ MND-SE) in Bucharest, the exercise will take place simultaneously in the Cincu, Smârdan, Capu Midia, Babadag, Bogata, Alba Iulia, Hanu Conachi, Giarmata, Cârțișoara (Romania) and Novo Selo Training Areas (Bulgaria).

The main objective of DAFA 25 is the operational integration of subordinate and affiliated structures of HQ MND-SE and marks the full transition of the NATO Battle Groups Romania and Bulgaria to brigade level.

2,400 French soldiers of the 7th Armored Brigade will be deployed on Romanian territory, as part of the exercise, to train alongside the host nation and other Allies. In parallel, in Bulgaria, the NATO Battle Group Bulgaria led by Italy, as framework nation, will conduct related exercises integrated into DAFA 25.

Romania participates with the 282nd "Unirea Principatelor"Armored Brigade and units subordinated to the Headquarters Multinational Brigade South-East, as well as with land force, air force, naval force and cyber defence units.

The first military equipment convoys will enter the country on September 20th, through the Curtici border crossing point. The Romanian authorities, together with the NATO allies, have adopted measures to limit the impact on local communities and traffic, by planning most movements at night.

The NATO exercises, including DAFA 25, have a defensive character and are conducted in full compliance with the international commitments undertaken by Romania.

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NATO's Headquarters Multinational Division South-East was established on September 1st, 2015, by Romanian Parliament Decision No. 32 of June 23, 2015, and has the mission to coordinate collective defence operations on NATO's southeastern flank, especially in Romania and Bulgaria.

NATO Forward Land Forces Battle Group (FLF BG) in Romania was established in 2022, by approval of the Romanian Parliament, as a central element of NATO's deterrence and defence posture in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.

The group consists of approximately 1,700 troops from France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain and represents the Alliance's firm commitment to the security of the eastern flank and the Black Sea region.

The Press Office