Hungary Hosts the EU’s Largest Military Exercise

The international military exercise MILEX 2025 started on March 25, and will test the land-based operational capabilities of the European Union’s battle groups, Honvedelem.hu reports. The aim is to assess the participating countries’ rapid response and coordination capabilities in real-life conditions. The exercise will run until April 10.

Over 900 soldiers, including the Hungarian Gidrán Rifle Company, will conduct joint operations using state-of-the-art techniques and protocols. The practice sites are the Pápa Air Base and the Central Shooting and Training Range, where live firing and tactical maneuvers will test the combat team’s readiness.

Lieutenant General Ferenc Kajári, Deputy Chief of the Defense Staff, said that the exercise is not only about practicing joint tasks, but also underlines Hungary’s commitment to strengthening the EU’s defense capabilities. “The effectiveness of rapid response operations and international cooperation is key to the security challenges of the future,” he added. MILEX 2025 is based on the EU Strategic Guidelines adopted in 2022, and aims to align the EU’s defense capabilities.

The first phase tested rapid response measures in a computer-assisted command and control exercise in early March, and now preparations continue in live conditions.

The exercise involves soldiers from Hungary, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Spain, France, Croatia, Lithuania, and Latvia. The exercise is being led by the EU’s multinational military unit EUROCORPS and Hungarian soldiers are actively participating.

The operations will take place at the “Böszörményi Géza” Training Ground and the 47th Air Force Base in Pápa. MILEX 2025 will not only play a key role in the development of the common European Defense Industrial Strategy, but will also increase the effectiveness of future international operations.

Via Honvedelem.hu, Featured image: Honvedelem.hu