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.
- Integrates approximately 28,000 multinational forces from 27 nations to conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in 12 countries.
- Includes strict COVID prevention and mitigation measures, such as pre-deployment COVID testing and quarantining.
- Has significant involvement with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy.
- Utilizes key ground and maritime routes bridging Europe, Asia and Africa.
- Exercises new high-end capabilities such the new U.S. Army Security Force Assistance Brigades, air and missile defense assets and the recently reactivated V Corps.
- Demonstrates our ability to serve as a strategic security partner in the western Balkans and Black Sea regions while sustaining our abilities in northern Europe, the Caucasus, Ukraine and Africa.
DEFENDER-Europe 21 and linked exercises demonstrate and develop the extensive military capabilities that NATO allies need to prevent conflict, preserve peace and keep our nations safe.
Training events for Defender 21 are occurring across more than 30 training areas in 12 countries, and encompass several linked and associated exercises, including Saber Guardian. As part of Saber Guardian in Hungary, more than 13,000 service members from 19 countries will conduct live fires and air and missile defense operations, plus a large-scale medical evacuation. On May 28, the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade began moving to the designated training areas in Szolnok and Kecskemet in preparation for the exercises. For more information about Defender 21, please visit https://www.europeafrica.army.mil/DefenderEurope/.
Below are events related to the exercises, which are open to the press. If you are interested in covering the event, please contact MAJ DRAVICZNE Krisztina at +36-30-815-0363 or de21.j7.jvb01@mil.hu for further details and to register.
June 04 – Yacht Club, XIII district, Budapest: MEDEVAC rehearsal. This event will involve three US MEDEVAC helicopters and one Hungarian MEDEVAC helicopter. Simulated patients in one of the U.S. and in the Hungarian helicopter. All four helicopters will land, one after the other, and patient transfer will be practiced. The time is to be determined, between 1400-1600.
June 05 – Kaposújlak Regional Air Strip: Static display. U.S. helicopters will be on display. This event will begin at approximately 1500. It is also open to the public.
June 7, 8, and 9 – Central Training Area, Varpolota: armored vehicle and dismounted troops moving and firing blanks (June 7) and live rounds (June 8 and 9). Potential interview opportunity with U.S. soldiers. Additional point of contact is MAJ Ambelang, 2CR Public Affairs. Phone number +491728546492
