DEFENDER-Europe is an annual large-scale U.S. Army-led, multinational, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO and partner militaries. This year’s exercise:
- Focuses on building operational readiness and interoperability with a greater number of NATO allies and partners over a wider area of operations.
- Is defensive in nature and focused on responding to crisis if necessary.
- Demonstrates that the U.S. commitment to NATO is iron clad.
- DEFENDER-Europe 22 includes more than 3,437 U.S. and 5,193 multi-national service members from 11 Allied and Partner nations.
- Operations conducted across 9 countries
- Includes strict COVID prevention and mitigation measures.
- Utilizes key ground and maritime routes bridging America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
- Exercises new high-end capabilities such as the new U.S. Army Security Force Assistance Brigades and the recently reactivated V Corps.
- Demonstrates our ability to serve as a strategic security partner while sustaining normal operations in the rest of Europe and Africa.
Click here for the full DEFENDER-Europe 22 Fact Sheet