WIESBADEN, Germany —
Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, DEFENDER 25, is a large-scale U.S. Army exercise that tests how quickly, and effectively American troops can deploy to Europe and defend the Eastern Flank with NATO Allies and partners. Beginning April 10, 2025, equipment and personnel depart the U.S. to demonstrate the U.S. military’s ability to send forces across long distances, maintain operations, and support its Allies from the Arctic to the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. This exercise confirms the capabilities to deny aggressors and reinforces the U.S. commitment to NATO’s defense strategy and increases combat capability to deter with power.
“This is about global deterrence,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “Everything we demonstrate we can do with our Allies and partners we can pick up and do anywhere. DEFENDER gets us sets and reps at theater logistics and warfighting at scale that isn’t being done anywhere else right now.”