French forces arrive in Bosnia and Herzegovina for EUFOR exercise

French reserve forces have arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the first phase of troop deployment for the annual EUFOR military exercise, ‘Rapid Response 2026’. The deployment began with the arrival of French personnel at Sarajevo International Airport via a Corsair Airbus A330-900neo.

EUFOR stated that the rapid aerial arrival of these troops demonstrates the mission’s ability to quickly reinforce forces, serving as evidence of its readiness and credibility. The French soldiers are the first of several groups expected to arrive; additional reserve forces from partner nations and necessary military equipment are scheduled to arrive in the coming days.

The ‘Rapid Response 2026’ exercise is designed to test the ability of EUFOR forces and reserve components to deploy and operate within Bosnia and Herzegovina on short notice. This capability is considered a vital element in maintaining an efficient and credible international military presence in the region.