DVDay of SABER GUARDIAN 25 Multinational Exercise

The Distinguished Visitors Day of "Saber Guardian 25" Exercise took place on Friday, June 13, in Suraia, Vrancea County in the presence of the Minister of National Defence, Angel Tîlvăr.

About 1,100 military personnel from the Republic of Moldova, Romania and the USA, with 385 means of equipment participated in the demonstration sequence of forcing a watercourse presented on this occasion.

The Siret River crossing exercise was conducted according to a fictitious scenario, which integrated elements of the Romanian Armed Forces’ equipment - assault boats, F-16 fighter jets to engage targets into enemy’s alignment (with the support of the Bayraktar system), TAB B33 ZIMBRU vehicles (which ensured the simultaneous river crossing on both flanks), IAR-330 PUMA SOCAT attack helicopters, 8X8 PIRANHA V armored personnel carriers, GEPARD anti-aircraft systems and infantry fighting vehicles (ICM).

"Saber Guardian 25, the largest exercise planned and conducted this year on national territory by the Romanian Armed Forces and the United States of America, represents another confirmation of the strength of the strategic partnership between our countries in the field of defence. The success of this exercise demonstrates, once again, our common commitment to Allied defence in the Black Sea region, as an essential element in consolidating the defence of the Alliance's eastern flank," the Minister of National Defence stated.

Minister Tîlvăr conveyed his gratitude to the 5,000 troops from four allied and partner countries participating in Saber Guardian 25 on Romanian territory, who firther developed their skills to jointly act in the Focșani, Cincu, Suraia, Frecăței, Smârdan and Babadag Training Areas.

I congratulate everyone for the results of their hard work throughout these weeks, which will be reflected in our armed forces’ ability to collaborate even better in the future, in an increasingly challenging regional security environment, in which interoperability and the ability to conduct joint actions are essential for deterring any aggression against the common territory", Angel Tîlvăr said.

"NATO is the main anchor of security and stability in this region, and this SG 25 has clearly demonstrated that the soldiers can train in the same conditions requested by the modern battlefield, operating advanced combat technology and practicing joint procedures. We are NATO. Together we are stronger! was the motto of a recent information campaign, and this exercise amply demonstrated this", the Minister of National Defence concluded.

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SG25 exercise brings together, between June 9 and 24, approximately 5,000 troops from four countries - Italy, the Republic of Moldova, Romania and the United States of America - in Romania, and is led by the US Army Europe (USAREUR) and "General Ioan Emanoil Florescu". Joint Forces Command

The main objectives are the increase of cohesion, unity and solidarity among the NATO member countries and partner states’ armed forces, by demonstrating a rapid reaction and deployment capability all over Europe, on short notice. 

SABER GUARDIAN 25 is an exercise planned and led by the United States Army Europe and Africa Command (USAREUR-AF) and is part of the DEFENDER 25 series of exercises.

The Press Office