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ALEXANDROUPOLIS, Greece – NATO forces have begun a large-scale deployment across Eastern Europe as part of Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025, the Alliance’s largest live military training exercise this year, testing the rapid deployment of forces to its eastern flank.  

Steadfast Dart 2025 is part of a series of major NATO exercises taking place this year, aimed at testing the Alliance’s ability to respond to crises and reinforce its deterrence posture. The Exercise runs throughout January and February and marks the first full-scale operational deployment of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF) since its establishment in July 2024. Currently under the command of NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy (NRDC-ITA), the ARF is a high-readiness, multi-domain force designed for swift deployment to crisis areas.

An aerial view of Alexandroupolis port, Greece, as military vehicles are unloaded during Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025. The strategic port serves as a key logistics hub for the rapid deployment of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF), reinforcing multinational interoperability and readiness.

UK service personnel assigned to the 6th Regiment Royal Logistics Corps and the 2 Rifles - Light Infantry Battalion, prepare to unload British Army tactical and logistical vehicles at the port of Alexandroupolis, Greece, during the Strategic Deployment portion of NATO Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025, January 25, 2025. (NATO photo by Gunnery Sergeant Orlando Perez, US Marine Corps)

Commander 102 Operational Sustainment Brigade, Brigadier Geary meets with Lieutenant General Kavidopoulos, Commander D'CORPs, (Hellenic Army). UK vehicles arrive at Alexandroupoli port on the Eddystone vessel during the Strategic Deployment portion of NATO Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025, January 24, 2025. (NATO photo by Sgt Sam Terry, UK Army Photographer)

A member of the Spanish Legion Logistics Group conducts a final inspection of tactical and logistical vehicles prepared to depart the port of Alexandroupolis, Greece to Romania, during the Strategic Deployment portion of NATO Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025, January 24, 2025. (NATO photo by Gunnery Sergeant Orlando Perez, US Marine Corps)
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The deployment includes UK troops from the 6th Regiment Royal Logistics Corps and 2 Rifles - Light Infantry Battalion, alongside Spanish Legion forces, who have been transported by sea rail and air. Military vehicles, including battle tanks, self-propelled artillery, and armoured personnel carriers, have been unloaded at Alexandroupolis before continuing to their destinations. The troops will join others travelling from Germany and Türkiye. In total NATO will deploy over 10,000 personnel, 1500 military vehicles, more than 20 aircraft, and 17 naval assets, to Steadfast Dart 2025.

Spanish Soldiers stand on parade getting briefed at Alexandroupoli Port, Greece during the Allied Reaction Force Exercise, STEADFAST DART 25. Spanish tactical and logistical vehicles leave the port of Alexandroupolis, Greece, by rail during the Strategic Deployment portion of NATO Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025, January 24, 2025. (NATO photo by Sgt Sam Terry, UK Army Photographer)

The first train begins coupling and preparing to move off at Alexandroupoli Port, Greece during the Allied Reaction Force Exercise, STEADFAST DART 25. Spanish tactical and logistical vehicles leave the port of Alexandroupolis, Greece, by rail during the Strategic Deployment portion of NATO Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025, January 24, 2025. (NATO photo by Sgt Sam Terry, UK Army Photographer)

UK service personnel assigned to the 6th Regiment Royal Logistics Corps and the 2 Rifles - Light Infantry Battalion, conduct a logistical movement from the port of Alexandroupolis, Greece to training areas throughout Romania, during the Strategic Deployment portion of NATO Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025, January 27, 2025. (NATO photo by Gunnery Sergeant Orlando Perez, US Marine Corps)

Spanish tactical and logistical vehicles are unloaded at the port of Alexandroupolis, Greece, during the Strategic Deployment portion of NATO Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025, January 22, 2025.  (NATO photo by Gunnery Sergeant Orlando Perez, US Marine Corps)

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NATO deployed elements of its NATO Response Force (NRF) to reinforce its forward presence in Central and Eastern Europe. The establishment of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) in 2024 was part of a broader restructuring of NATO’s high-readiness forces. NATO’s ability to rapidly move forces across strategic transit hubs like Alexandroupolis is essential to ensuring an effective and credible deterrence posture in the region. The port has been increasingly used in recent years for multinational exercises and military movements.

Large scale exercises like this ensure that troops from different nations can operate seamlessly across all domains including coordinated air, land, and sea movements, as well as incorporating cyber and electronic warfare elements. This ability is a key part of NATO strategy. Military planners say the force must be capable of operating in contested environments, integrating cyber, space, and conventional military capabilities to counter a range of threats.

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