About the Military Training mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA)
EUTM CAR started on 16 July 2016 at the request of the CAR Government, under the framework of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The mission’s mandate runs until 19 September 2026.
The main objective of the mission is to support the build-up of a modernised, effective, credible, ethnically balanced and democratically accountable FACA (Central African armed forces).
The mission contributes to the reform of the defence sector within a wider Security Sector Reform (SSR), in close coordination with the EU Delegation, the EU civilian advisory mission (EUAM CAR), as well as other international support missions, especially the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
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Mandate
On 6 September 2024, the Council decided to extend the mandate of EUTM by one year, until 19 September 2026. The mission will continue its advisory function and refocus its activities on leadership development of young military leaders and strategic advice. EUTM RCA stands ready to resume training activities when the the necessary conditions are in place. The budget for 2026 is 11.4 million euro. six EU Member States participate (Spain, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, France) and three Partner Countries Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Activities
EUTM RCA has contributed to the restructuring of the Defense sector in three domains: strategic advice, operational training and education. Since July 2016 the EUTM RCA has trained and educated almost 9500 FACA personnel. EUTM RCA has engaged in the training of FACA units and their leaders, and new recruits [including ex-combatants reintegrated in FACA after completion of vetting and Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process].
The Operational training was provided to six Battalions (five Infantry Territorial Battalions and one Amphibious Battalion – total of 3100 personnel).
In addition, the mission has also provided: validation and certification of FACA personnel trained by a third party (300 personnel), four basic training (FETTA - Formation Elémentaire Toutes Armés) reiteration for more than 2850 recruits. The Mission has also supported FACA in building an operational trainer’s pool to be able to conduct by themselves training and education to own troops.
EUTM RCA has provided advice to the authorities of CAR on a significant amount of regulatory and doctrine documents for the governance of FACA. This includes the Defence Sector Reform (DSR) strategy, the National Defence Plan (NDP), the Military Programming Law (2019–23), the Military Justice Code, the Law on the General Statute of the Military, the decrees on the creation of FACA Military Schools.
EUTM RCA has opened a NCO school and an officers school for FACA.
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CopyrightEuropean Union, 2026
Mission force Commander EUTM RCA
Brigadier General Irinel APOSTOLESCU currently serves as Commander of Multinational Brigade South-East, headquartered in Craiova, Romania. He assumed command on 23 September 2024 and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General on 22 April 2025.
Born on 27 July 1975 in Bacău, Romania, Brigadier General Apostolescu began his military career in 1993 when he entered the "Nicolae Bălcescu" Military Institute of Infantry and Chemistry in Sibiu. After graduating as an Infantry officer in 1997, he was assigned to the 28th Infantry Battalion in Târgu Mureș as a platoon leader, marking the beginning of a career that has spanned a broad range of command and staff appointments within the Romanian Armed Forces and NATO.
During the first years of his career, he served in infantry, reconnaissance and armored units, holding platoon leadership positions with the 28th Infantry Battalion, the 634th Infantry Battalion, the 636th Reconnaissance Company and the 631st Tank Battalion. These assignments provided him with a broad operational background and firsthand leadership experience across several combat arms.
In 2005, he was appointed Chief of the Operations, Planning and Training Section of the 631st Tank Battalion, where he transitioned from tactical leadership to operational planning and staff responsibilities. After completing the Joint Arms Land Forces Command Master's Programme at the "Carol I" National Defence University, he served as Chief of Staff of the 151st Infantry Battalion "Războieni", followed by his appointment as Chief of the Planning and Operations Office of the 2nd Infantry Division "Getica". In September 2016, he assumed command of the 202nd CBRN Battalion in Huși, a command he held for four years.
In 2019, Brigadier General Apostolescu joined the Core Planning Team responsible for establishing Headquarters Multinational Corps South-East (HQ MNC-SE) in Sibiu. Following the activation of the Corps Headquarters, he successively served as Head of the G5 Planning Branch and Chief of Planning. During this period, he contributed to the development of operational planning processes, the execution of multinational exercises, the refinement of planning procedures and the integrationof Allied forces within one of NATO's newest tactical-level headquarters. His experience at HQ MNC-SE marked his transition from national command responsibilities to multinational operational planning within NATO's command structure.
On 23 September 2024, he assumed command of Multinational Brigade South-East, a multinational formation bringing together Romanian and Allied forces in support of NATO's forward presence on the Eastern Flank. As Brigade Commander, he oversees the planning, training and integration of multinational forces while promoting interoperability among participating nations and contributing to the Alliance's collective deterrence and defence efforts.
Brigadier General Apostolescu has continuously invested in professional military education throughout his career. He earned a Master's Degree in Joint Arms Land Forces Command and a PhD in Military Science from the "Carol I" National Defence University. His professional education also includes the Advanced Infantry Officers Course, the Staff Course, the Multinational Joint Force Headquarters Command Postgraduate Course, the Strategic Course at the NATO Defence College in Rome, the NATO Senior Officer Policy Course at the NATO School Oberammergau, and the Strategic Military Leadership (CAPSTONE) Course.
His operational experience includes three overseas deployments. In 2006, he served as a Staff Officer with the Kosovo Force (KFOR). Between 2008 and 2009, he deployed to Côte d'Ivoire as a United Nations Military Observer. In 2013, he deployed to Afghanistan as Chief of Staff of the 2nd Manoeuvre Battalion, supporting operations within the NATO-led mission. These deployments provided him with extensive multinational experience in peace support, United Nations and combat operations.
Throughout nearly three decades of military service, Brigadier General Apostolescu has received numerous Romanian and international distinctions in recognition of his professionalism and service. Among the most notable are the Land Forces Merit Emblem "Saint George the Great Martyr", the General Staff Honour Emblem, the Romanian Army Honour Emblem, the Land Forces Honour Emblem, the United Nations Medal, the NATO Non-Article 5 Medal, and the U.S. Army Commendation Medal.
Brigadier General Apostolescu is married to Ana and is the father of two children, Ștefania and Ștefan.