The Multinational Battle Group Slovakia (MN BG SVK) -a combat unit within the Multinational Brigade Task Force Slovakia (MN BDE TF SVK), led by Spain- has successfully passed the CERTEX 24-I certification and assessment exercise. More specifically, it was the first Spanish unit to achieve NATO certification within the framework of the Slovakia Eastern Flank Land Deployment (F-E/SVK).
The CERTEX 24-I is an exercise programmed by the Spanish Joint Operations Command (MOPS in Spanish), at Battalion level and in the land domain, which evaluated the capability of the Multinational Battle Group SVK (MN BG SVK) to plan, synchronise and execute defensive and offensive operations within its Operational Area and integrated into the MN BDE TF SVK. CERTEX 24-I focuses on exercising warning procedures within a high-intensity warfare scenario, and also includes the preparation of defensive positions and force-on-force defensive and offensive operations.
This significant exercise took place from 4 to 10 November 2024 in the Military Trainig Area (MTA) in Lešť (Slovakia) and assessed the readiness of the Multinational Battle Group of Slovakia (MN BG SVK), under the command of the 1st Parachute Flag ‘Roger de Flor’.
The central manoeuvre of the exercise consisted of a delay and counter-attack operation against an Opposing Force (OPFOR), which, on this occasion, was represented by a company of the MN BDE TF SVK from the Czech Republic. This unit was specifically designed to simulate an enemy that will pose tactical dilemmas, both offensive and defensive, for the MN BG SVK.
During the artillery firing exercise, which marked the start of CERTEX 24-I, the Artillery Group of the Parachute Brigade deployed in Slovakia fired the first real fire shot on an international mission, also being the first shot fired by the Spanish Light Gun cannons outside our borders.
Under the command of the General of the Parachute Brigade, Luis Jesús Fernández Herrero, a group of military personnel travelled to Slovakia to assess the exercise. Furthermore, personnel from the Multinational Division Center (MND-C) travelled to the country to confirm that the evaluation process was conducted correctly.
The exercise was also attended by mass media from Slovakia and representatives of the Slovak Armed Forces, who appreciated the work of the Spanish military Units and the multinational contingent as a whole.
CERTEX 24-I
The certification exercise (CERTEX) is an evaluation mechanism used by NATO to ensure that its units are ready to be deployed on operational missions. In the case of the Multinational Battle Group Slovakia (MN BG SVK), CERTEX 24-I aims to certify that this force is ready to conduct defensive operations within its area of responsibility. This process is based on the criteria established by NATO, which are essential to assess the operational readiness of the units that constitute its operational structure.
NATO requires the country that provides a military unit of battalion size or above to ensure that it satisfies NATO's operational standards. To this end, Spain, as a Framework Nation (FN), is subjected to a Combat Readiness Evaluation (CREVAL).
After passing the certification, MN BG SVK achieves its Full Operational Capability (FOC), a key indicator that the Battle Group is ready to act in defence of NATO's interests. Thus, the Parachute Brigade has become the first unit to achieve this NATO-wide certification on the Eastern flank of the Alliance. This certification also represents the MN BDE SVK Initial Operative Capacity (IOC), which is expected to reach its FOC in the first half of next year.