Bulgaria Launches Multinational Helicopter Exercise Thracian Blade 2026

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence has launched the multinational helicopter exercise Thracian Blade 2026, bringing together air assets and military personnel from several allied and partner countries at the 24th Air Base in Krumovo.

According to the ministry, helicopters and support elements began deploying to the base between June 1 and June 3 ahead of the start of flight operations. The exercise is scheduled to run until June 18 and is being hosted by the Bulgarian Air Force. 

The training event is conducted within the framework of the European Defence Agency’s Multinational Helicopter Training Centre program, which focuses on improving interoperability among European helicopter operators and developing common tactics, techniques, and procedures for multinational missions. 

Military personnel from Austria, Switzerland, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are expected to participate, while Greece and France are sending observers, according to information released ahead of the exercise. Bulgarian land forces, special operations units, military police, and logistical support formations are also involved. 

Training activities will be conducted across several ranges in southern Bulgaria and will include combined air operations involving helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Bulgarian military officials indicated that participating crews will conduct complex multinational missions designed to strengthen operational coordination in a joint environment. 

For Bulgaria, the exercise provides an opportunity to expand cooperation with European partners while supporting the readiness of the Bulgarian Air Force’s helicopter fleet and associated ground support units. The event also reinforces the country’s role as a host nation for multinational military training activities in southeastern Europe.