Hungary has launched MILEX 2025, dubbed the European Union’s largest military exercise, welcoming over 900 troops from 11 member states for a rigorous test of the EU Battlegroups’ capabilities.

Running from March 25 to April 10, the exercise is designed to enhance the bloc’s rapid-response readiness under real-world conditions, unfolding at Papa Air Base and the Central Shooting and Training Range with live-fire drills and tactical operations.

Organized by the multinational EUROCORPS command, MILEX 2025 includes forces from Hungary, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Spain, France, Croatia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Hungarian media have celebrated it as a historic milestone, with Lieutenant General Ferenc Kajari, deputy chief of the Hungarian Defence Staff, calling it a testament to Hungary’s dedication to bolstering EU defense.

“This exercise strengthens our collective ability to address security challenges,” he stated, emphasizing its role in the EU’s Strategic Compass initiative launched in 2022.

The drills follow a computer-assisted phase earlier this month, shifting now to live operations that simulate crisis scenarios—a response to growing geopolitical pressures like the Ukraine war and migration concerns.

While hailed as a step toward EU military cohesion, the exercise’s scale and Hungary’s hosting underscore its strategic pivot amid debates over the bloc’s defense autonomy. As troops deploy advanced technology and coordination tactics, MILEX 2025 aims to set a benchmark for future EU military collaboration.