A hundred French army vehicles from Arquus were deployed in Romania as part of Mission Aigle

As a NATO member country, France is currently taking part in several reassurance and cooperation measures in Northern and Eastern Europe.

These measures notably include international exercises such as Cold Response in Norway or Bold Dragon in Estonia, but also deployments of units and equipment to Estonia and Romania.

500 personnel

As part of Mission Aigle (Eagle), France has deployed in Romania 500 personnel from the 27e Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins (27th Alpine Hunters Battalion) from Annecy, the 126e Régiment d’Infanterie (126th Infantry Regiment) from Brive-la-Gaillarde, the 4e Régiment de Chasseurs (4th Chasseurs) from Gap and the 93e Régiment d’Artillerie de Montagne (93rd Mountain Artillery Regiment) from Varces, as well as support services.

Under France's leadership, they form, with the support of another 300 troops from Belgium the Spearhead Battalion of NATO Rapid Response Force in Southeastern Europe.

Combat equipment

The Aigle battalion has been deployed including several armoured and non-armoured vehicles

These units have taken their quarters in the Mihail Kogalniceanu base near Constanţa, where they have been welcomed by their Romanian counterparts.

The Aigle battalion has been deployed with a wide variety of combat equipment, including several armoured and non-armoured vehicles, many of which are produced and supported by Arquus. 

Among the vehicles deployed 

• 43 VAB
• 27 VBL
• 19 PVP
• Several GBC 180
• Several VT4

Interoperability and training

The deployment of French units and equipment in Romania in the framework of the Nato Response Force will further increase the level of cooperation between the French and Romanian Armies while strengthening the historical links which have always united the two countries.

The future deployment of Romanian elements in the Sahel, alongside their French counterparts, also emphasises the need for interoperability and mutual training.