Ten Thousand Troops from 9 Allied Nations to Participate in NATO's Largest European Exercise in Bulgaria, Greek, and Romania

The largest NATO exercise in 2025, Steadfast Dart 2025 (STDT25), will take place in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania in January and February this year, with the deployment of Allied Response Force (ARF) units. The exercise will involve 10,000 servicemen from nine allied countries - Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. This is stated in a statement by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence.

The exercises involve air, land, naval and special operations forces; 17 ships; more than 20 aircraft and helicopters, including EF2000, F16, AV 8B HARRIER fighters and A400 transport aircraft; more than 1,500 pieces of military equipment, including tanks, multiple launch rocket systems, self-propelled artillery pieces, infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and armoured personnel carriers (APCs).

During the exercise, NATO forces will practice the deployment of the new Joint Response Force, which can quickly reinforce NATO's eastern flank. This important exercise will demonstrate the Alliance's readiness, ability and commitment to defend every inch of NATO territory.   

The UK's 1st Division will command all NATO ground forces during the exercise, continuing the UK's proud tradition of leadership in NATO and demonstrating this government's unwavering commitment to the Alliance.  

During the exercise, the UK Armed Forces will join thousands of troops from ten NATO Allies operating in Romania and Bulgaria, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

The 730 vehicles, including Foxhounds and Jackals, will travel by road, air and sea to Eastern Europe for two exercises before returning to the UK at the end of February.