Belgium and France join forces for Celtic Uprise 2024 military exercise
From 8 to 16 October, the Belgian and French armies will hold a joint military exercise called Celtic Uprise 2024 in the Luxembourg province of Belgium. Approximately 1,200 soldiers and 200 combat vehicles from both nations will take part in this large-scale exercise.
The training is part of the CaMo partnership (Capacité Motorisée) between Belgium and France, which aims to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces through realistic conflict scenarios in a civilian environment.
During the exercise, soldiers will practise patrolling, securing sensitive locations, convoy escorting, offensive operations, river crossings, and medical evacuations, using both armoured vehicles and on foot.
The exercise will take place in the municipalities of Marche-en-Famenne, Nassogne, Saint-Hubert, Bertrix, Sainte-Ode, Libramont-Chevigny, Vaux-sur-Sûre, Neufchâteau, Léglise, Attert, Habay, and Arlon. Residents in these areas may experience noise disturbances and other inconveniences. However, all necessary measures will be taken to minimise the impact on local communities and the environment, said the Ministry of Defense.
In 2018, Belgium’s and France’s defence ministers signed the CaMo partnership in a bid to reach a level of interoperability between the land forces of both countries so that a Belgian army unit can seamlessly integrate into a French military operation and vice versa. The agreement also outlines a comprehensive re-equipment of Belgian land forces, including the procurement of modern armoured vehicles such as 382 Griffon and 60 Jaguar models.
A French soldier in front of an armoured vehicle during 2022’s Celtic Uprise military exercise © BELGA PHOTO GERARD GAUDIN