COMMANDER
Major General Cornel TONEA-BĂLAN
Major General Cornel TONEA – BĂLAN assumed command of HQ MND-SE on January 15th, 2026. He also served as Mission Force Commander for EU Training Mission in Central African Republic (2023 – 2024) and Head of Structures and Capability Planning Directorate within ROU General Staff.
Major General TONEA – BĂLAN received his commission in 1996 and has an extensive experience in force structure development, capability planning and multinational operations. He has commanded 30th Guards Brigade “Mihai Viteazul”, NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) Romania and 495th Infantry Battalion.
His staff assignments include ACOS G3 Operations – HQ MND-SE, Chief of Operations and Training – 81st Mechanized Brigade and Deputy Commander and Chief of Operations – 812th Infantry Battalion.
Major General TONEA – BĂLAN was deployed in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
He graduated from the Military Institute of Infantry “Nicolae Bălcescu” in Sibiu. He holds a Master Degree in Defense Intelligence Leadership at the National Defense University in Bucharest and in Strategic Leadership and National Security at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London.
He is married and has two children.
