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 Courtesy
Drone POV: Sky Soldiers Use FPV Drones to Strike Targets During Swift Response 2025
173rd Airborne Brigade
June 26, 2025 | 0:21
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade used first-person view (FPV) drones to engage simulated targets at PabradÄ— Training Area, Lithuania, during Swift Response 2025, May 19, 2025. The exercise enhanced lethality and tested the integration of small unmanned aerial systems into dismounted infantry operations.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade serves as the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of rapidly deploying forces across the U.S. European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

(U.S. Army video courtesy of 1st Lt. Francesco La Torre)
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Press Information

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