Multinational Exercise Takes Place In Russian Border's Shadow

Exercise Noble Partner is taking place close to Russian border (Pictures: US Department of Defense).

British troops are among 3,000 personnel taking part in a large multinational training exercise a few miles from the Russian border.

Exercise Noble Partner is all about ensuring the security and stability of the Black Sea region.

Troops from 13 nations, including 140 personnel from 1 RIFLES, are being put through a series of testing exercises to ensure they can work alongside each other to counter aggression.

The US Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Joseph Lengyel, spoke to the troops about the importance of the exercise:

“This exercise provides an exceptional opportunity for the 13 allied partnered nations and 3,000 personal to enhance their readiness, their lethality and their interoperability through realistic training, learning and greater cooperation.”

The training is taking place in Vaziani military base near Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, in the shadow of the Russian border.

In 2008, Russia and Georgia fought a war over the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia.

Now, a decade on, Moscow still has troops stationed there – Georgia claims it’s an illegal occupation.

It’is unsurprising that this annual exercise, which includes training in live firing as well as combat support, has in the past prompted Russia to claim it could destabilise the region.

For those on the ground, it’s an opportunity to learn from one another. Captain Borisi Chutllashvili of the 12th Light Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade Officer told Forces News:

“It’s very interesting because these guys have very good experience with urban training.

“It will be nice for the future, for training Georgian soldiers also.”

While Exercise Noble Partner goes on until the middle of next week, Russia continues flexing its muscles and conducting its own exercises just the other side of the border.