The exercise began on 31 October and will run until 8 November 2026, bringing together some of the region’s most highly trained military personnel to strengthen regional security and military cooperation.
A Greek-Led Military Initiative
The exercise forms part of the Balkan Conference of Chiefs of Defence, an initiative launched in 2007 by Greece’s Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.
Since 2012, participating countries have held the joint training exercise annually, with the host nation rotating among them.
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Greece is hosting the event under the name BALKAN SHIELD for the third time, following previous exercises in 2016 and 2022.
Eight Balkan Countries Take Part
Military personnel from eight countries are conducting joint training exercises in the shadow of Mount Olympus.
The participating countries are:
Parachute Operations and Advanced Drone Technology
The BALKAN SHIELD 26 training programme covers a demanding range of military operations, including rapid-response live-fire combat drills, specialised sniper training and operations in built-up areas.
The programme also includes static-line and freefall parachute jumps, rapid helicopter descents and battlefield first-aid training.
This year’s exercise places particular emphasis on emerging military technologies, with extensive use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and first-person-view (FPV) drones.
Military personnel use these systems to engage simulated targets and gather intelligence, reflecting the increasingly important role of drone technology in modern warfare.
Operational Planning and Military Support
The Special Warfare Command (DEP) developed the exercise’s operational plan, while the 1st Infantry Division oversees its execution.
Greece’s contingent includes elite personnel from the Special Warfare Command and the Hellenic Army General Staff.
The Hellenic Air Force and Army Aviation provide essential aerial support through aircraft and helicopters.
(Source: AMNA)