Romania. The Eastern Flank: Black Knights 2026, a joint exercise of American and Romanian tanks

The "Black Knights 2026" exercise demonstrated, in difficult weather conditions and in a complex tactical scenario, that interoperability between Romanian and American forces works at a real operational level.

Radio România Internațional, 18.02.2026, 14:00

Although there was no snow falling at the Smârdan training ground (in eastern Romania), the wind was driving the felt temperature down to minus 15 degrees Celsius. This was the setting for the “Black Knights 2026” exercise, in which Romanian tanks TR-85M1 Bizonul conducted live fire alongside American M1 Abrams tanks, some of the most modern armored platforms in the United States Army.

The scenario involved repelling and delaying an enemy attack, followed by a counterattack, in an integrated Romanian-American formula, under the command of US allies. The exercise tested interoperability, procedural coordination, technical communication and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to act as a single force.

Colonel Matthew Kelly, of the 1st Combat Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Army, explained how the cooperation at Smârdan unfolded: ‘It was a tremendous opportunity for us to train. When we train with a partner or an ally – and Romania is certainly an ally – what we really care about is how we operate together and how we carry out a joint mission. From the perspective of the results obtained at the exercise, it was a complete success.’

Integration did not just mean deploying soldiers and equipment to the range. It meant synchronizing fire, coordinated maneuvering, functional communications, and mutual trust between crews. Abrams tanks and TR-85M1 Bizonul tanks fired cannons and machine guns at targets set up at the range, supported by logistics and MEDEVAC structures.

Colonel Kelly emphasized that the value of the exercise lies not only in the individual performance of each structure, but in the strength of the integrated formations: ‘The fact that we did not act as separate formations, but integrated, together, is a strong proof to the cohesion and strength of both nations. Every time we have the opportunity to train together, we become better. No one acts alone. We always work together with partners to accomplish a mission.”

For NATO’s Eastern Flank, such exercises have a clear strategic significance. Romania is positioned in a region where training and interoperability are not optional, but essential. In this context, the American colonel reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two states: “’Romania has always been a reliable ally for the United States, and we are proud to be here to demonstrate this and to continue our cooperation.’

The “Black Knights 2026” exercise demonstrated, in difficult weather conditions and in a complex tactical scenario, that interoperability between Romanian and American forces works at a real operational level. In a context in which Abrams tanks are about to enter the Romanian Army, such training becomes not only useful, but necessary. At Smârdan, allied cooperation was put to the test and passed the test. (Alexandra Rădescu) (LS)