The PUMA 22 exercise in Nowa Dęba in the southeast of Poland involved the Visegrád Four states of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. The exercise, which will conclude on Nov. 9, will also include U.S. and British troops.
A total of 2,000 troops and 300 armored vehicles are taking part in the training for defensive maneuvers, overcoming obstacles on the river San, checking on Call for Fire procedures, and practicing medical evacuation, and integrated fire drills. The exercises will be held both during the day and night. According to the organizers, experiences gleaned from the war in Ukraine will guide the training.
Participating in the Puma-22 exercises are tank and mechanized units as well as artillery, sappers, chemical, surveillance, and anti-aircraft units. One of the exercises will feature joint fire from Poland’s Leopard tanks, British Challengers, and Czech T-72s backed up by mechanized infantry, artillery, and the air force.
Taking place in parallel to the Puma-22 tactical training are exercises for commanders and their staff at different headquarters known as System-22, Gepard-22, and San-22. Therefore, apart from the muscle of the operation being tested with the troops, the commanding brains behind the respective armies are also being examined in a similar way.
