On May 27, Albania will host the start of Defender Europe 25, a large-scale multinational military exercise—one of the most extensive and complex drills in Europe and Africa in the past decade.

Led by the United States European Command (USEUCOM) and conducted in collaboration with NATO allied nations and strategic partners, the exercise will continue until June 9, 2025.

In the early hours of tomorrow morning, troops will depart from Zall-Herr toward the training center in Bizë, where the most intensive phases of the drill will take place. These will include offensive operations, defensive maneuvers, and strategic deployments across challenging terrain.

The purpose of Defender Europe 25 is to enhance the readiness, interoperability, and capability of U.S., NATO, and partner forces to operate in a coordinated manner within a complex operational environment.

The scenario is built on NATO’s Article 5, which simulates collective defense in response to an attack on one or more alliance members.

Military activities will include a wide range of large-scale operations across several European countries, with a particular focus on Albania and Kosovo.

In these locations, troops will conduct training exercises focused on protecting critical infrastructure, securing embarkation points, and managing advanced logistics.