Today marks the official opening of Exercise Quick Response 2026, EUFOR’s annual exercise designed to test something that matters every day; the ability to be ready when readiness is needed.
The exercise actually began some days ago, with the arrival of EUFOR reserve forces from several participating countries. Some arrived by sea through the port of Ploče, while others arrived by air and by road. Their journey to Bosnia and Herzegovina is itself part of the exercise, testing how quickly and effectively EUFOR can reinforce its presence when required. Over the coming days, Quick Response 2026 will take place across a number of locations throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. EUFOR will work closely with the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the Ministry of Security and law enforcement agencies.
For EUFOR Commander Major General Maurizio Fronda, this cooperation is at the heart of the exercise.
“Quick Response 2026 is one of EUFOR’s most important annual activities. It demonstrates our ability to deploy rapidly, reinforce our forces, coordinate effectively with our partners and maintain the high level of readiness required to fulfil our executive mandate provided through the United Nations Security Council.”He also emphasized the importance of the partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s institutions: “This partnership allows us to build confidence, improve coordination, and ensure that forces are able to operate effectively together.”
For the public, an exercise like Quick Response may simply mean seeing more military vehicles on the road or personnel in unfamiliar locations. Behind those visible movements, however, is a much bigger picture: thousands of individual actions, decisions and coordination efforts that work together to provide a safe, secure and stable environment for all in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
That is why exercises matter, they allow EUFOR and its partners to train together, test procedures, identify what can be improved and strengthen the ability to respond effectively when it matters.
Over the coming days, people across Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to see part of that readiness for themselves.
Presence you can see. Readiness you can trust.