Tank crews from the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division successfully completed Abrams live-fire exercises at Bulgaria’s Novo Selo Training Area on October 7, 2025. The drills aim to strengthen NATO’s combat readiness along its eastern flank and enhance deterrence against regional security threats.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of War on October 5, 2025, personnel from the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, under the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, conducted intensive day and night firing drills between September 29 and October 5. During the exercise, each tank’s fire-control system was verified and calibrated through the Live Fire Accuracy Screening Test (LFAST), ensuring that weapon systems aligned with real-range data to improve first-round hit probability.
At the center of the training stood the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank, equipped with a 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun, advanced thermal imaging systems, and a digital fire-control suite. Powered by a 1,500 hp turbine engine, the 70-ton platform combines superior firepower and mobility, providing NATO forces with unmatched battlefield agility. The tank is also armed with a 7.62 mm coaxial M240 machine gun and a .50 caliber M2HB mounted on the commander’s station for additional support.
During both day and night operations, Abrams crews employed “hunter-killer” tactics, minimizing the time between target acquisition and engagement. In later stages, units conducted integrated platoon- and battalion-level combined-arms exercises alongside M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. The synergy between the Abrams’ firepower and the Bradley’s infantry, sensors, and 25 mm cannon support created a realistic, multi-layered combat environment.
Located at the strategic intersection of the Black Sea and the Balkans, Novo Selo serves as a vital hub for NATO’s southeastern defense posture. Regular U.S. armored rotations and training activities in the region reinforce the alliance’s deterrence capability while sending a clear message to Russia.
The exercise, therefore, was not just a training event—it demonstrated the U.S. and NATO’s ability to rapidly deploy and sustain combat-ready armored forces across Europe when required.
