This year the Exercise “Iron Cat” Takes Place on the Hungarian Section of the River Danube

Szöveg: First Lieutenant Dr. Zita Markovics | 2018. május 14. 7:16

An agreement was reached about the main elements of the Hungarian-Serbian flotilla exercise, called “Iron Cat”. The Serbian delegation led by Lieutenant Colonel Alen Dabetic was received by Lieutenant Colonel Zsolt Szilágyi, the Commander of the HDF 1st “Honvéd” Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Warship Regiment.

The experts of the Serbian River Fleet and the HDF 1st “Honvéd" EOD and Warship Regiment first met in March, when only proposals were made, but during the present, final conference an agreement was reached.

“Accordingly, the exercise will be held in mid-July on the section of the Danube between Mohács and Budapest, in which two minesweepers from each of the two nations will take part. The speciality of this year’s (eighth) exercise is that it allows for the Hungarian and Serbian EOD-divers for the joint training, in which they have to lift explosive ordnance devices from the water" – said Major Szilárd Bagi, Deputy Commander of the HDF 1st “Honvéd" EOD and Warship Regiment.

In the weeklong joint exercise, built on the experiences of the recent years, the participants will practice the tasks of river policing, border surveillance and border control, patrolling activities, arresting and occupying hostile vessels, escorting and protecting dignitaries and cargos, river closures, and lifting explosive devices from the water.

In addition to the above tasks, the Serbian and Hungarian soldiers will practice among others combatting air and water targets with on-board cannons, and the manoeuvres related to these, and they will demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired on the closing day of the exercise in the presence of their superiors and the media.