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Spanish Marines deployed in Romania conclude 'Eagle Thunder' exercise

In Romania
January 20, 2025

The Spanish contingent stationed at the Cincu base in Romania has carried out several live-fire exercises as part of its training for NATO's Eastern Flank Land Force deployment

The Marine Mechanized Tactical Sub-Group, part of NATO's Multinational Battle Group Romania (MN BG ROU), took part in the Eagle Thunder exercise, which involved a series of training activities focused on marksmanship and weapons handling.

Specifically, it involved the implementation of the Spanish detachment’s firing capabilities, with activities conducted during both daytime and nighttime operations. The exercises included the use of Piranha Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), medium and light machine guns, grenade launchers, precision shooting, and rifle marksmanship in close-quarters environments.

Through initiatives such as Eagle Thunder, the detachment's readiness and determination to contribute to the security and stability of allies in the region is demonstrated, reaffirming Spain's commitment to deterrence and the defence of NATO's eastern flank.

Eastern Flank Land Deployment - Romania

Romania's Multinational Battle Group is one of eight counterparts deployed along the eastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance to contribute to the deterrence and defence in this region. The activities to be conducted are similar to those already carried out by the Spanish Armed Forces deployed in Latvia and Slovakia. These include exercises within the unit itself and others as required, integrated into the French-led Multinational Battle Group, as well as those conducted in cooperation with the Romanian Armed Forces.

At the 2016 Warsaw Summit, it was decided to reinforce deterrence as a fundamental tool to guarantee the protection of allied territory on the eastern flank. Subsequently, at the Madrid Summit in 2022, the Alliance recognised Collective Defence as the top priority among the missions envisaged in the new Strategic Concept of the Atlantic Alliance (NATO).

At the aforementioned Madrid Summit, it was agreed to expand to eight the Multinational Battle Groups (MN BGs) deployed on the eastern flank. All these Battle Groups will have the capability to scale up to the level of Multinational Brigades (MN BDE).

To date, Spain has contributed to these multinational units in Latvia and Slovakia, and at the end of 2024, with a tactical sub-group of Marines to the MN BG in Romania.

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