About us
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.
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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CopyrightEUTM RCA
Mission force Commander EUTM RCA
Brigadier General (OF-6), BG Claudiu Mădălin TAMAȘ
Mission Force Commander of the European Union Training Mission in Central African Republic, Romanian Brigadier General (OF-6_ Claudiu Mädälin TAMAȘ previous post was as the Commander of the 15 Mechanized Brigade "Podu inalt", having assumed command on June 8, 2022. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General on December 1, 2024, in recognition of his exemplary service and leadership throughout a career spanning over three decades.
Born on January 4, 1973, in Fäurei, Bräila, BrigGen TAMAȘ began his military
journey in 1992 when he was admitted to the "Nicolae Bälcescu" Infantry and
Chemistry Military Institute. After graduating in 1996, he was commissioned into
the Infantry- Paratrooper branch and assigned as a Paratrooper Platoon Leader in
the 56" Paratrooper Battalion. His early career laid the foundation for a trajectory
marked by commitment, discipline and operational excellence.
In 1998, he attended the Application School for Infantry (L'Ecole
d'Application de l'infanterie) in Montpellier, France, and returned here in 2003 for
the Capitain's Career Course. That same year, after being promoted to Capita in, he
became a Company Commander at the Land Forces Academy "Nicolae Bälcescu" in
Sibiu. In 2006, he completed the Staff Course at L'Ecole d'Etat Major in Compiegne,
France, and was then assigned as a Staff Officer at the newly established Land
Forces Combat Training Center (LFCTC) "Getica" in Cincu.
Between 2007 and 2016, BrigGen TAMAȘ held multiple leadership roles at
LFCTC, including OPFOR Section Head - the first of its kind in Romania Land Forces
- Exercise Planning Branch Head and Chief of Operations. During this period, he
was promoted to Major in 2008 and Lieutenant Colonel in 2015. His tenure at LFCTC
was marked by his substantial contributions to modernizing Romanian Land
warfare training exercise planning.
Academically, he holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Titu
Maiorescu University in Bucharest and a master's degree in international relations
and security studies from Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu. He further enhanced his
strategic education with a master's in joint command (Land) from the Romanian
National Defence University, graduating in 2012 and completed advanced courses
such as the Land Forces Command Career Course in 2015 and the Strategic
Command Course in 2020.
In 2016, he became Chief of Operations at the 2' Infantry Brigade "Rovine"
in Craiova, where he led planning efforts for exercises like "Scorpions Fury 16" and
"Saber Guardian 17". He later commanded the 20 Infantry Battalion "Dol]" (Black
Scorpions) and was appointed Deputy Commander of the NATO Multinational
Brigade South-East in 2020.
BrigGen TAMAȘ is a recipient of numerous honours, including the State of
Georgia Meritorious Service Medal, the Romanian Land Forces Medal of Honor and
long-service medals. He is married to Ana-Maria and is the proud father of one son.