TAIN, SCOTLAND — Three Belgian soldiers were injured — one seriously — in a live firing incident during a large-scale military training exercise in the Scottish Highlands, prompting a full-scale emergency response and a formal investigation by Belgian defence officials.
The incident occurred shortly after 13:15 on Monday at the Tain Air Weapons Range in Easter Ross, where Belgium’s elite Third Parachute Battalion is conducting a joint exercise involving live ammunition, ground forces and helicopters as part of Exercise Red Condor.
According to Belgium’s Ministry of Defence, approximately 10 additional soldiers suffered hearing damage. Two of the more seriously injured were airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, with one expected to undergo surgery before repatriation. A third soldier was discharged after treatment for minor injuries.
“The incident took place during a planned training exercise,” the Belgian Defence Ministry said in a statement. “An investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances. The families of the injured personnel have been informed.”
Exercise Red Condor: NATO Interoperability on Scottish Soil
The Red Condor drill, scheduled to run until 21 May, involves around 600 Belgian military personnel temporarily stationed at Kinloss Barracks in Moray. The exercise includes live fire coordination between infantry and rotary aviation units, highlighting interoperability among NATO allies and use of UK facilities.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed awareness of the incident but did not comment on operational specifics.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected,” said a spokesperson for the UK MoD.
Police Scotland said it received the emergency call at 13:25 and that inquiries were ongoing. No civilian injuries were reported.
Trauma Response at Scale
The Scottish Ambulance Service mounted a significant response, deploying:
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One Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance helicopter
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One Scottish Air Ambulance Service aircraft
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Three land ambulances
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A trauma doctor and specialist teams
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“Two patients were transported by air to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and one by road to Raigmore Hospital,” a spokesperson confirmed.
The exact cause of the incident remains unknown, and officials have not disclosed whether it was due to a misfire, equipment failure, or procedural lapse.
Belgium Reacts
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever acknowledged the incident publicly, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that he had been informed about injuries to members of the Third Parachute Battalion. He offered wishes for a swift recovery and extended sympathies to the soldiers’ families.
The injured personnel belong to one of Belgium’s most experienced airborne infantry units, known for NATO deployments and high-readiness combat roles.
A History of Risk at Tain
The Tain Air Weapons Range, covering 2,700 acres on the Dornoch Firth, is used regularly by UK, US, and NATO forces. Despite its strategic importance, the site has a history of accidents.
In November 2016, Lance Corporal Joe Spencer, a 24-year-old British soldier with the 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was killed in a misfire while training at the range. A fatal accident inquiry later found the death was avoidable, citing lack of safety protocols as a critical factor.
The latest incident is likely to prompt a review of live fire safety procedures for foreign forces using UK ranges, especially in complex multinational exercises involving mixed assets and environments.
