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Belgium Trains its Troops in Germany Ahead of NATO Mission in Lithuania.
The Chasseurs à Cheval Battalion and several Belgian units are preparing for their upcoming deployment to Lithuania as part of NATO's multinational battlegroup. To ensure their integration and operational effectiveness, these units are participating in a fifteen-day certification exercise in Germany alongside their German and Dutch counterparts.
The Chasseurs à Cheval Battalion and several Belgian units are preparing for their upcoming deployment to Lithuania. (Picture source: Belgian MoD)
On the fog-covered plains of Gardelegen, military maneuvers are in full swing. This training aims to strengthen cohesion and coordination among the units before their scheduled deployment in July. After an initial phase focused on their respective areas of expertise, the troops move on to applied exercises in an international scenario, replicating real-world deployment conditions.
The participating Belgian units include the Chasseurs à Cheval Battalion, the 11th Engineer Battalion, the 29th Logistics Battalion, the Artillery Battalion, the 10th Communication and Information Systems Group, as well as medical units and the Military Police. They had already conducted a preliminary joint training phase earlier this year in Marche-en-Famenne. Now, they must fine-tune their synchronization with German and Dutch forces.
One of the main challenges lies in coordinating the systems and procedures of the engineer, artillery, and communications units. For the Chasseurs à Cheval Battalion, the reconnaissance unit of the battlegroup, the integration of Falcon vehicles requires adjustments to operational methods and communication systems. This modernization demands enhanced technical mastery and a reorganization of teams.
The decisive certification exercise begins on March 17 at 8:00 a.m. and will last approximately 72 hours. Belgian, German, and Dutch forces will face a complex scenario against a simulated enemy and will be evaluated on various strategic and tactical aspects. Each unit will have a well-defined role, with reconnaissance teams initiating their mission ahead of the official start of the exercise.
To enhance realism, troops will use the Dual Sim system, an advanced simulation technology that replicates material and bodily damage sustained during combat.
The final stage before deployment to Lithuania is scheduled for May, with an international exercise involving all the nations contributing to the battlegroup. Amid rising geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, these exercises hold significant strategic importance, demonstrating the allies' commitment to strengthening their preparedness and cooperation in response to regional security challenges.