Solbiate Olona, February 24, 2025 – After two months of intense activity, the Steadfast Dart 2025 exercise has concluded with the redeployment of the ARF Command Post and the units stationed in Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. These included the Joint Logistic Support Group in Bucharest, the 1st UK Division in Smârdan (Romania), the Spanish-led Special Forces in Tsrancha (Bulgaria), and the maritime component, provided by the Italian Navy Command and the Spanish-led amphibious troops in Volos (Greece).
This exercise enabled NRDC-ITA to test the deployment of its Command Post in peacetime, testing operational procedures and interoperability with allied forces. As the first large-scale deployment of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) since its establishment in 2024, Steadfast Dart 2025 demonstrated NATO’s ability to swiftly reinforce its Eastern European defense in response to a simulated emerging conflict scenario against a peer adversary.
The exercise, started in early 2025, involved the deployment of approximately 1.500 vehicles across several European countries, testing border-crossing procedures. During these movements, coordinated with the host nations, various cooperation activities were conducted, and NATO procedures were implemented, further strengthening collaboration with Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania within the framework of the Alliance’s simultaneous activities in the region.
The exercise engaged around 10.000 troops from nine allied nations, with land, air, naval, and special forces conducting long-range operations. The training included amphibious maneuvers, live-fire air operations, and multi-domain exercises, showcasing NATO's rapid deployment capability and response readiness along the Eastern European flank.