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 Spc. Sar Paw
12CAB Soldiers showcase apache lethality during Saber Guardian 25
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
June 11, 2025 | 1:58
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Wyatt Warfe, an AH-64 armament, electrical, and avionics system repairer, Sgt. Christopher Yoon, an ammunition specialist, and Spc. Ricky Dortch, a petroleum supply specialist, assigned to 1stt Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade explains how crucial their role is to keep the aircraft in the air during live-fire exercise as part of Saber Guardian 25, Camp Croft, June 10, 2025. Live-fire exercises showcase the Apache’s precision, lethality, and 12CAB’s commitment to multinational training and exercises across Europe, enhancing readiness and strengthening relationships with NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Army video by Spc. Sar Paw)

Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict.
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What is happening where?

Redirecting...
  • 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.