Milex 2025 Tests Crisis Response Capabilities of EU Combat Units

The Milex 2025 International Exercise Visitors’ Day was held at the Pápa base airfield on Thursday. The multinational exercise, testing the land-based operational capabilities of European Union battle groups from March 25 to April 10, is taking place at the Bakony military training grounds and the Pápa airbase (both in western Hungary).

General Gábor Böröndi, the Chief of Defense Staff, told journalists that 850 soldiers from 13 nations were working together.

Under a common command, a common language and a common way of thinking, these soldiers serve the security of the European Union,”

he said. He noted the exercise posed a logistical challenge, with foreign soldiers arriving from hundreds of kilometers away by road, air or rail.

Two Mirage 2000 fighter jets escort an Airbus A319-112 passenger aircraft on the visitors’ day of the Milex 2025 international exercise. Photo: MTI/Krizsán Csaba

“Here we have grouped forces and equipment, set up a multinational command under French and German leadership. The exercise was successful in this respect as well, as it was carried out in a unified way,” he noted.

The General added that

in the past, NATO has had this type of integrated exercise, and today the European Union’s armed forces are also coming into their own.”

Irish soldiers at Milex 2025. Photo: MTI/Krizsán Csaba

The Pápa base airfield is intended to host soldiers from foreign nations, as in rrecent decades, huge improvements have been made, he explained. New hangars have been built and the air base has become a logistic-military center, he added.

In his speech at the exercise, the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, General Robert Brieger, stressed that

the commitment and joint efforts of the Member States will enhance the EU’s military readiness and preparedness to meet the changing challenges of today’s geopolitical and security environment.

He added that Milex 2025 is proof that commitment, cooperation and joint effort are paying off. He said “we are witnessing the EU’s rapid capability of deployment – one of the most important achievements of the strategic compass.”

Photo: MTI/Krizsán Csaba

Photo: MTI/Krizsán Csaba

In his words, “the existence of an EU rapid response capability is a huge step forward, both in terms of enhancing Europe’s strategic autonomy and in significantly strengthening our own crisis management capacity.”

“While the progress is remarkable, there is no time to sit back. We still have much to do to further enhance the EU’s readiness and preparedness. Critical capability gaps require immediate attention, through vital investment and dedicated work,” General Brieger added.

Hungary Hosts the EU’s Largest Military Exercise