From Monday 03 to Wednesday 05 July 2023, the Hellenic Armed Forces participated in the Multinational Exercise “enhanced Vigilance Activities (eVA) – 23”. The said exercise was held at the Novo Selo Training Area (NSTA) in Bulgaria, as part of the planning of the HNDGS for the international collaborations of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

“eVA – 23” is a CPX – LFX-type (Command Post Exercise – Live Fire Exercise) exercise aiming to demonstrate the deployment capability of the Italian-led allied forces participating in the NATO Multinational Force Enhanced Vigilance Activity Battlegroup Bulgaria (NATO eVA BG BGR), in the context of the implementation of the NATO planning for deterrence. The exercise also seeks to train the command and control of existing Units at the tactical level.

According to an announcement by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), forces from Italy, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Albania and Skopje participated in the exercise. On the Greek side, 1 Anti-Tank Platoon (A-T) of Special Composition of the Hellenic Force of Bulgaria – 2 participated in the exercise, with which our country takes part in NATO eVA BG BGR.

On Thursday 05 July 2023, the Distinguished Visitors Day (DV DAY) of the Exercise took place, which was attended by the Minister of Defence of Bulgaria, Mr. Dimitar Stoyanov, the Chief of the Italian Armed Forces, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the Chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, Admiral Emil Eftimov, and the Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Division, Major General Aristidis Iliopoulos.

The participation of the Hellenic Armed Forces in the said NATO Multinational Force aims at their active participation in strengthening the defence arrangement, cohesion and deterrence capability of the Alliance as well as at projecting their capabilities in an inter-alliance context, strengthening the role of Greece as a pillar of security and stability in the region and beyond.

Also read: HNDGS | The Hellenic Armed Forces participate in the Multinational Exercise “PLATINUM WOLF 23” – Photos