site.btaParticipants in NATO Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025 from the Spanish Special Operations Forces Re-base in Bulgaria

Participants in the NATO Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025 from the Spanish Special Operations Forces have re-based in Bulgaria. They are part of the NATO Allied Reaction Force (ARF) and will participate in joint training within the framework of the exercise together with Bulgarian servicemen from the Navy and Air Force and the Special Operations Forces, which will be held between February 10 and 22 in the areas of the Tsrancha Training Complex, the Charalitsa Training Complex, the 22nd Air Base in Bezmer and the Naval Base in Burgas, said the press centre of the Ministry of Defence on Friday.

On February 7, two NH90 helicopters from the Spanish Special Operations Forces were re-based at the 22nd Air Base in Bezmer. Within the framework of Steadfast Dart 2025, together with their Bulgarian colleagues, they will participate in the performance of parachute jumps, fast rope descents, infiltration, exfiltration and other tasks when conducting special operations.

A total of 460 servicemen with their personal weapons and ammunition from ARF, the NATO Rapid Deployment Corps in Italy (NRDC-ITA), the NATO Joint Force Command in Naples (JFCNP), as well as nearly 95 combat and transport vehicles, two NH90 helicopters, up to two Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft and up to 6 AV-8B Harrier aircraft will participate in the joint training during the NATO exercise on the territory of this country.

The Steadfast Dart 2025 exercise demonstrates NATO's ability to deploy Allied Reaction Forces to reinforce the Alliance's Eastern flank and the Allies' readiness to strengthen collective defence, the statement said.