On 5 October, the Romanian Ministry of Defence began mobilisation exercises MOBEX Bucharest–Ilfov 26, as part of which around 10,000 reservists from Bucharest and Ilfov County are being called up to military units. The exercises will last until 12 October, although each reservist will report to their designated unit for just one day. The Ministry of Defence emphasises that MOBEX are scheduled exercises and are not linked to the current geopolitical situation.
- The MOBEX București–Ilfov 26 mobilisation exercises have begun in Romania.
- Around 10,000 reservists are being called up to military units.
- Each reservist takes part in the training for one day.
- Failure to appear without good reason or refusal to accept a summons may result in a fine.
Around 10,000 reservists will receive call-up notices
The training exercises are taking place simultaneously in Bucharest and the neighbouring county of Ilfov. According to Romanian media reports, the figures involved are approximately 10,000 reservists aged between 43 and 63.
Call-up orders are issued by representatives of the Ministry of the Interior. A reservist must report to the specified military unit on the exact date and at the exact time stated in the document. For reservists in employment, the law provides for an additional day of paid leave. The employer is obliged to ensure that the employee is able to take part in the training on the basis of a certificate from the military centre.
What will the reservists be doing?
During the one-day training session, reservists’ military registration details, the condition of their equipment and their ability to quickly resume military duties will be assessed. The programme includes medical and psychological assessments, training in military medicine, communications and engineering, familiarisation with modern armoured vehicles, and live-fire exercises with standard-issue weapons.
On 7 October, a separate phase of the exercises involving reservists will take place at the Domnești training ground near Bucharest.
A fine is imposed for failing to respond to a summons
Participation in such exercises is compulsory for reservists who have been called up, in accordance with Romanian law. Failure to report to the military unit without valid reason, or refusal to accept a call-up order, is considered an administrative offence. This may result in a fine, which in some cases can amount to several thousand lei.
According to the organisers, during previous similar exercises, around 8% of the reservists who had been called up failed to report for duty.
The Ministry of Defence has explained why it is holding MOBEX
The Romanian authorities specifically emphasise that the current call-up of reservists does not mean a declaration of mobilisation. Training of the type MOBEX are carried out regularly and are intended to check how quickly military units may be staffed and equipped as required. At the same time, the operations of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the security services, telecommunications services and other bodies with responsibilities in the field of national security are being reviewed.
The Romanian Ministry of Defence notes that MOBEX exercises are planned in advance and cover different regions of the country each year. Previous exercises of this kind were held, in particular, in other counties in Romania throughout 2026.
