site.btaNATO’s Stone Wall 25 Exercise Demonstrates Brigade-Level Multinational Command Capability

Bulgaria's Deputy Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Mihail Popov, said on Thursday the exercise codenamed "Stone Wall 25" enhances NATO’s ability to expand multinational battle groups from battalion to brigade level and demonstrates the cohesion and solidarity of Allies on the Eastern Flank. He highlighted NATO’s adaptability and commitment to 360-degree collective defence, and thanked Italy for serving as the framework nation, as well as all participating countries for their contribution.

Participants in Stone Wall 25 demonstrated command-and-control capabilities for multinational formations up to brigade level in defensive operations. Brigadier General Paolo Dalle Vedove, Commander of Italy's "Pinerolo" Mechanized Brigade, led the exercise, held at the Novo Selo and Koren training areas.

The exercise involves units from the Multinational Battle Group contributed by Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Turkiye, along with personnel from a mechanized company and a self-propelled mortar battery of the 38th Mechanized Battalion of Bulgaria’s 2nd Tundzha Mechanized Brigade. The joint training aims to enhance interoperability among Allied forces and to demonstrate their unity and cohesion.

The demonstrations were observed by senior Bulgarian military leaders, representatives of the NATO Multinational Battle Group nations, and officials from NATO structures.

On November 28, personnel and equipment from the 2nd Tundzha Mechanized Brigade that took part in the exercise at the Koren training area will return to Stara Zagora via the national road network.