The HDF Central Training Base hosted the 2010 NATO C-IED Conference between 16 and 18 February at Szentendre, Hungary. The participants of the conference (approx. 150 persons from 22 nations) included the representatives of NATO member states and PfP countries, the EDA and the Contact Nations, i.e. mostly the personnel from the military commands and staffs involved in national and international C-IED operations, training and the development of C-IED TTPs.

Drawing on the input from the participating subject matter experts, the organizers of the conference intended to identify the capability shortfalls in NATO’s C-IED strategies and operations and to propose effective and viable solutions for overcoming these shortfalls during the syndicate work.

General Stéphane Abrial, NATO SACT delivered an opening speech. The general directs NATO’s intensive professional, scientific, methodological and training programs which are aimed at defeating IEDs, the weapons that inflict the heaviest losses in modern-day conflicts.

German General Egon Ramms, Commander of NATO JFC Brunssum also attended the conference that has been organized by NATO for the fourth time.  His presence indicated the importance of allied cooperation in C-IED operations.

During the three-day conference, thanks to the intensive syndicate work the participants managed to come up with proposed solutions in all key areas whose feasibility was the topic of last day’s discussions. The results of the conference further the successful accomplishment of one of the most significant NATO ACT projects in progress, the formulation of the NATO C-IED Comprehensive Action Plan whose deadline is 31 March 2010.

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