BRUNSSUM, The Netherlands – Strong Lineage 25, a large-scale, land-focused NATO exercise held in Slovakia, concluded on 11 June 2025.
The exercise was led by Spanish forces and was designed to train Alliance forces to expand NATO Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia to a full brigade-level formation.
Strong Lineage 25 highlighted the strategic role of the command in ensuring NATO’s readiness and posture on the eastern flank
Led by Spain’s Galicia VII Brigade (BRILAT), Strong Lineage 25 brought together land forces from seven NATO nations, Spain, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Portugal, Romania, and Türkiye. The exercise focused on integrating multinational units, harmonising command and control, and ensuring combat interoperability under NATO standards.
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Conducted within the area of responsibility of Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS), Strong Lineage 25 highlighted the strategic role of the command in ensuring NATO’s readiness and posture on the eastern flank. The exercise also provided NATO Land Command (LANDCOM) with an opportunity to assess NATO Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia’s capability to scale up to a full brigade-level formation, enhancing NATO’s ability to respond quickly and cohesively to evolving security challenges.
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Following the strategic arrival of troops and material on 30 May, the exercise entered its integration phase, which ran until 6 June. This stage involved combined training among all combat, support, and logistic units, setting the stage for a three-day tactical scenario involving joint manoeuvres, fire support, and synchronized operations.
The exercise brought together 2,000 troops, including around 1,500 Spanish personnel, and involved the coordinated deployment of approximately 400 combat vehicles. Among the most critical assets were Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks, HA-28 Tiger attack helicopters, and NH-90 transport helicopters, which played a significant role in ground manoeuvre and air mobility operations.
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The presence of these key systems ensured the effective execution of complex tactical scenarios, supported by essential reconnaissance, engineering, and medical units. The multinational force operated from the Malacky Air Base and across the Lešť training area, testing NATO’s capacity for rapid deployment, joint operations, and seamless interoperability.