Romania hosted a large-scale combat demonstration on Tuesday, May 26. Over 1,500 Romanian, American, British and Canadian troops, as well as 200 tanks, helicopters and supersonic aircrafts participated in this action organized at the Cincu shooting range in Brasov county. The demonstration, which lasted two hours, was part of the Sarmis 15 exercise.

During the event, the troops developed tactical strategies, fired guns and used rocket launchers, and initiated air and land attacks.

Defense Minister Mircea Dusa was also present at the demonstration. He said that this was not a “combat” training but an exercise that aimed at “increasing the operational capacity of the Romanian army, its force of reaction in cooperation with partners from EU and NATO,” reports local Mediafax.

Dusa added that several joint exercises are organized these days with NATO and EU partners.  One of them took place at the Babadag shooting range and includes over 650 American, Romanian and Bulgarian troops.

Another training exercise started in the Black Sea on Wednesday, May 27, while American and Portuguese air forces trained together with Romanian troops at Campia Turzii.

“Romanian troops also participate in training exercises in other EU and NATO countries. For example, 250 Romanian troops take part in an exercise in Germany,” said Dusa.

Earlier this week the Defense Minister said that the number of military exercises in Romania increased by 25% last year, compared to 2013, and the number of joint training activities conducted together with NATO allies more than doubled.

Other training exercises are scheduled for this year.

American destroyer joins large-scale military exercise in the Black Sea this week.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: mapn.ro)