‘Common Challenge 26’ Concludes: The Largest International Military Exercise Ever Held in Montenegro, with Over 500 Troops

The international mountain warfare exercise “Common Challenge 26” concluded today at the Pirlitor mountain range — the largest ever held in Montenegro, with over 500 participants, announced Defense Minister Dragan Krapović.

Alongside the Armed Forces of Montenegro, forces from the U.S. Maine National Guard, Austria, Slovenia, Spain and North Macedonia took part in joint operations in demanding mountain conditions.

The Distinguished Visitors Day was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić, responsible for security and defense, Minister Krapović, Chief of the General Staff General Miodrag Vuksanović, Maine Governor Janet Trefton Mills and Maine National Guard Commander General Diane Dunn, as well as military attachés and diplomats.

Bečić said hosting allies matters for Montenegro and that the exercise demonstrated professionalism and joint interoperability, contributing to peace, stability and security. Krapović emphasized joint readiness for planning, action and response and noted that the Montenegrin mountainous terrain is a demanding training ground; the skills gained strengthen the Army’s support for civil services, including search and rescue, where the Air Force and rescue teams played a special role.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the exercise increases interoperability with allies and confirms the value of international cooperation; Chief of Staff Vuksanović said the goal was to connect individual skills into an effective joint system, through advanced alpine and mountain combat techniques.

Source: RTCG