An exercise designed to measure interoperability and responsiveness
Dacian Fall 25 was developed between the end of October and November 2025 with a central aim: to assess the operational cohesion of units deployed on the eastern flank of Europe. Planning was based on Headquarters Multinational Division South East (HQ MND-SE), responsible for coordinating tactical scenarios and verifying integration between various allied units.
More than 3,000 soldiers participated in the activities, distributed across multiple training areas within Romania. The maneuvers included waterway crossing exercises, ground air operations, combat simulations, and live fire exercises. The multinational environment allowed us to compare procedures, reaction times and driving standards in complex situations.
The role of the Spanish unit
Spanish Marines are integrated into multinational tactical groups, providing amphibious capabilities, tactical mobility and support in joint operations. Its units participated in both command training and field exercises, adapting to the operational rhythms set by the Multinational Division Headquarters in the south-east of the country and coordinating with forces from France and other European partners present in the region.
The Spanish participation also covered the phases of the Command Post Exercise (CPX), which focused on planning and transition between decision levels. This type of exercise allows us to verify the effectiveness of the chain of command in operational escalation scenarios, as well as the integration of various information and communications systems.
FTX and advanced maneuvers in Romanian terrain
Spanish companies have carried out several FTX (Field Training Exercise) type exercises in forest areas, open areas and urban environments intended for simulations. Among the activities carried out were combat maneuvers, limited amphibious operations, and joint firing exercises with allied units.
The diversity of scenarios allows Marines to operate in variable weather conditions and unknown terrain, enhancing mobility, deployment and force concentration procedures. Participation in live ammunition training enhanced coordination with the support teams and with the maneuver sections of the rest of the units.
Gradual increase in Spanish presence on the eastern side
Participation in the Dacian autumn of 25 was not an isolated event. In the weeks leading up to the exercise, Marines expanded their presence in Romania as part of a rapid communication strategy. This increase was in response to the need to ensure the availability of forces in a sensitive geostrategic scenario for the Alliance.
These rotations have enhanced interoperability with French and other European units, as well as improving the ability to integrate into multinational structures. The operational demonstrations, included in the previous phase, emphasized the expeditionary capability of the Spanish amphibious elements.
Final evaluation and allied dissertation
After completing the tactical and training phases, official communications from the participating countries highlighted the scope of the exercise and the integration achieved between the participating units. They highlighted the performance of Spanish units within multinational tactical groupings and their contribution to the cohesion of the Allied apparatus.
The conclusion of the exercises confirmed an aspect that was not detailed at the beginning: that the Spanish deployment not only achieved the objectives set, but also strengthened its role within NATO’s defense architecture in the region, resulting in a strengthened military presence in one of the most sensitive scenarios in Europe.