Scenarios focus on cross-border cooperation and interoperability against drug trafficking and hybrid threats.
From 9 to 12 February 2026, Europol hosted the exercise ‘Allies 2026′, designed to enhance cross-border cooperation and interoperability among European law enforcement authorities. Simulating intersecting scenarios unfolding across several European countries, this exercise tested the participants’ ability to effectively fight drug trafficking and hybrid threats.
‘Allies 2026’ brought together surveillance, in-flight security, and special intervention units from 12 EU Member States, who were challenged with ever-evolving real-life scenarios. With every development and location change, the participants had to keep each other informed, hand over and pick up where others left off.
Two intersecting operations as challenges
The storybook for the ‘Allies 2026’ exercise foresaw two parallel scenarios. One started in Ireland (code-named ‘Operation Shamrock’) and the other in Belgium (code-named ‘Operation Cargill’). The participants’ objectives for the exercise were to successfully conduct multinational cross-border surveillance of multiple objectives/targets (referred to as ‘tangos’) across Europe. One crucial aspect was the swift handover from surveillance to intervention, ultimately resulting in the arrest of the targets.
Operation Shamrock
This scenario focused on tracking individuals travelling from Ireland to the Netherlands to purchase drugs using cryptocurrency. Surveillance teams monitored their movements between the Netherlands, France, and Ireland.
The tangos flew to Amsterdam, met with drug traffickers – all while being followed by surveillance teams. They spent a night in Rotterdam, then drove to France with a car containing the drugs, stopping in the French towns of Amiens and Rouen. They subsequently travelled from Cherbourg, France, to Dublin, Ireland, by ferry. Upon arrival, an Irish surveillance team followed them to a warehouse, where the special intervention unit arrested them.
Operation Cargill
This scenario targeted individuals suspected of planning coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure across several countries. The operation involved surveillance and tracking of these individuals as they moved across borders and prepared for their planned attacks.
The tangos travelled between Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Romania, meeting with contacts and preparing for their actions. The operation aimed to prevent attacks on power stations, an oil port, and a wind farm. It involved close cross-border cooperation and information exchange among the participating networks and law enforcement agencies, ultimately leading to the tangos’ arrests.
Cross-network exercise
Three expert networks worked together throughout the exercise, each bringing their knowledge and specialisation to the table:
- ATLAS Network: Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the ATLAS Network is the cooperation framework for special intervention units (SIU) fighting against terrorism and serious and organised crime in Europe. The network has been organising numerous activities comprising exercises, training, exchange programmes, development of technical tools, improvement of tactics and strategic development. ATLAS is composed of 38 SIUs from all 27 EU Member States as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
- European Surveillance Group (ESG): The European Surveillance Group is a European Commission–funded law enforcement network dedicated to advancing covert surveillance capabilities and providing expert tactical and strategic support to its partners. Through workshops, specialised training, and joint exercises, ESG strengthens cross-border cooperation, promotes common operational standards, and identifies innovative technologies that enhance investigative effectiveness. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, ESG supports EU law enforcement authorities in conducting complex criminal investigations that extend beyond national borders.
- In-Flight Security Officer Network (EIFS): The EIFS Network is a European initiative focused on improving in-flight security through cooperation among In-Flight Security Officers (IFSOs), also commonly known as ‘air marshals’. Building on international collaboration, it promotes shared standards, training, and operational best practices across EU Member States. The network works through specialised groups on strategy, tactics, equipment, and instruction to improve interoperability and readiness. Its activities include joint exercises, threat analysis, secure communications research and the development of common procedures.
Innovative technology and strategic cooperation
Europol hosted the exercise in a dedicated coordination room set up at its headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. The exercise participants also tested the operational use of the EU-funded tactical communication platform ‘NEOS’, a cutting-edge tool designed to enhance covert surveillance and share real-time operational details.
Europol provided crucial support in the preparatory phase and throughout the week, ensuring the exercise’s objectives were met and that the participating networks could benefit from enhanced interoperability and cooperation. Playing a central role in bringing these networks together, Europol provided the venue, the logistics, and the coordination for this exercise, ensuring a common operational framework for all participants.
Participating countries:
Austria, Belgium, Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia
