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 Vincenzo Vitiello
Swift Response 2025
Training Support Activity Europe
May 22, 2025 | 1:00
Nate Whelan, Vice President Europe, Marathon Targets, talks about the T100 autonomous moving vehicle target provided to the 173rd AB during Swift Response 2025, at Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, May 20, 2025. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is testing purpose-built, retrievable FPV drones against autonomous moving targets to improve battlefield readiness and integration with armored units. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance. (U.S. Army video by Vincenzo Vitiello).
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    FinlandItalyLatviaLithuaniaNorwaySwedenSlovenia

  • Immediate Response

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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.