NATO will deploy 10,000 soldiers, 17 ships, 20 aircraft, 1,500 combat vehicles and artillery in Bulgaria, Romania and Greece during Steadfast Dart 2025. This will be the Alliance's largest exercise for 2025 to deploy Allied Reaction Force (ARF) formations, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense said. The exercise will take place in the first three months of the year (from February 3 to 28 in Bulgaria) with the participation of military personnel from nine allied countries. The exercise is planned by the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).

The number of participants staying in the country, as well as those passing through Bulgaria from Greece and Turkiye to Romania and back, will not exceed international agreements, the Ministry of Defense emphasized. From January 12 to 14, the first military convoys will move through Bulgaria towards Romania.