site.btaBulgarian Special Forces Participates in Strong Balkan - 23 Exercise in Albania

Bulgaria was among eight Balkan countries whose special forces units took part in the international exercise Strong Balkan - 23 (B-9) in Albania, the Defence Ministry said on Friday. The exercise took place between October 31 and November 10, and was part of an annual joint training initiative of the Balkan countries’ chiefs of defence.

Participating were units from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, Turkiye and Montenegro, and observers from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Bulgarian Special Forces’ participation in such a format is an important stage of their preparation and an opportunity to deepen joint partnership with the Balkan countries, which is a prerequisite for enhancing security and maintaining peace and stability in the Balkans, the Ministry added.

The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability, personnel training, conducting and monitoring special operations and implementing NATO procedures in practice.

Standard operating procedures were updated during the planning and conduct of special operations in a multinational environment.