DEFENDER is the Army’s largest annual opportunity to exercise moving personnel and equipment into theater across modes for initial and follow-on operations critical to Large Scale Combat Operations. Led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the exercise focuses on the strategic deployment of CONUS-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stock and follow-on exercises demonstrating lethality and interoperability with Allies and partners

DEFENDER 25 Outreach tour
DEFENDER 25 Infographic

Videos
Video by Capt. Jennifer French
French and German Paratroopers Join Multinational Air Assault into Lithuania During Swift Response 2025
173rd Airborne Brigade
May 17, 2025 | 1:08
French and German paratroopers conducted an air assault into Lithuania as part of Swift Response 2025 on May 17, 2025. The multinational operation, led by the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, included 1,650 paratroopers from five nations: 1,100 from the 173rd, 270 Germans, 80 Dutch, 100 French, and 145 Italians. The exercise is linked with Lithuania’s national training event, Iron Wolf, and demonstrates NATO’s ability to rapidly project combat power across allied borders. Swift Response 25 is part of the U.S. Army’s DEFENDER 25 series, which focuses on large-scale operational readiness and interoperability across the European theater. (U.S. Army video by Capt. Jennifer French)
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  • Swift Response

    FinlandItalyLatviaLithuaniaNorwaySwedenSlovenia

  • Immediate Response

    AlbaniaBulgariaCroatiaGreeceKosovoMontenegroNorth MacedoniaSlovakia

  • Saber Guardian

    CzechiaGermanyHungaryRomaniaSlovakia

Press Information

enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.