The European Union is preparing for one of the largest military exercises this year in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EUFOR Althea mission will hold a large-scale multinational exercise, Quick Response 2026, from August 22nd to September 3rd, involving personnel from EUFOR representing 24 countries, along with reserve units from other regional states.
The commander of EUFOR, Major General Maurizio Fronda, stated at a press conference in Sarajevo that Quick Response is one of the most important annual activities of the mission. The main goal is to test the ability of international forces to quickly and effectively respond to various security situations, while also strengthening their cooperation with local partners.
The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are also expected to participate in the exercise. However, the exact extent of their participation has not yet been definitively determined and is still being coordinated with partner countries involved in the maneuvers.
The Deputy Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ivica Bošnjak, described the exercise as an important opportunity to demonstrate a high level of cooperation and coordination between domestic institutions and international security forces.
Quick Response 2026 will not only focus on military readiness. An important part will also be the ability to work together in crisis situations and coordinate units from different countries.
EUFOR has been operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the Althea mission, whose task is to contribute to maintaining a safe and stable environment. Regular exercises also serve to verify whether international forces are capable of responding quickly in the event of a deterioration in the security situation.
This year's Quick Response will therefore be not only a large-scale military test but also a visible demonstration of ongoing security cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Union, and its international partners.