Novo Selo: NATO training that strengthens collective security on the eastern flank

About one hundred kilometers from the Black Sea, in the Bulgarian plain, the military base of Novo Selo today represents one of the main NATO training hubs on the eastern flank of the Alliance. It is here that the daily activity of allied units concretely demonstrates the value of training as a tool for cooperation, stability, and collective security.

Since October 2022, Italy has taken on the role of Lead Nation of the multinational Battle Group deployed in Bulgaria. A commitment involving 740 Italian soldiers, part of a larger force that sees over 2,300 men and women of the Italian Army engaged in the Atlantic Alliance missions on the eastern front. Alongside the Italian contingent, soldiers from Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Albania, Greece, Montenegro, and North Macedonia operate in a context that enhances cooperation between different countries and the sharing of common procedures.

The activity of the NATO Forward Land Forces is based on key concepts such as vigilance, operational readiness, and interoperability. Novo Selo is not just a military base, but a center of training excellence, where each exercise contributes to strengthening the ability of allied forces to operate together effectively.
“The training mission has four core elements: operational readiness, capability integration, cohesion among contingents, and interoperability on the ground,” explains Colonel Mattia Scirocco, Commander of the Multinational Battlegroup.

Field training and operational interoperability

The training activities are divided into several phases, designed to reproduce realistic and complex scenarios. Under the guidance of Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Ruggiero, Commander of the Task Group, the training takes place entirely on the ground, with real means and consolidated operational procedures. This approach allows for testing capabilities, coordination, and decision-making speed, fundamental elements for the readiness of the forces.

One of the main phases is dedicated to defensive maneuver. In this framework, the main systems of the Italian Army come into action: the C1 “Ariete” tank, the Centauro 2 armored cars, the VCC “Dardo” combat vehicles, and the medium armored “Freccia” 8x8. The coordinated use of these vehicles allows for refining procedures and reaction times, also thanks to the use of drones, now an integral part of modern training and surveillance activities.

An additional training phase focuses on the integration between allied forces. In larger areas of the range, communications, logistics, and maneuver coordination are tested, with the aim of strengthening interoperability, one of the fundamental pillars of NATO's operational effectiveness.

The infantry, continuous preparation, and collective security

The final phase of the training takes place in a simulated urban center, an increasingly relevant scenario in contemporary operations. Here the infantry assumes a central role. Together with a Montenegrin platoon, the Italian soldiers conduct building clearance activities, paying particular attention to coordination, security, and multinational collaboration. Rescue operations are also simulated, confirming the attention given to people's protection.

Activities continue even as night falls. Night training allows for consolidating procedures and operational capabilities in different conditions, strengthening reliability and readiness. In this context, training is not just a technical exercise, but a common language that allows allied forces to operate cohesively.

At Novo Selo, day after day, NATO's concrete contribution to collective security takes shape. Through continuous training, multinational cooperation, and shared standards, the Alliance strengthens its ability to prevent crises and ensure stability. It is in this constant work that the strategic importance of training and NATO's role in the European and international context resides.