DEFENDER 23: Barrier against threats to peace in Europe

2023-06-20 09:03:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Colonel Martin O'Donnell, spokesman for the US Army Europe and Africa Command, said that the multinational military exercise DEFENDER Europe 23 also considers the situation in northern Kosovo.

DW: Colonel O'Donnell, the multinational military exercise DEFENDER Europe 23 is taking place in a situation where the world has changed because of Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine. How is this military maneuver reflecting this situation?

Martin O'Donnell: NATO's Dynamic Force Engagement in Europe for Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness 23, more commonly referred to as DEFENDER 23, demonstrates the US military's ability to rapidly deploy troops and reliable combat equipment, assure allies, prevent those who would threaten the peace in Europe as well as protect the continent from aggression. The exercise also demonstrates the commitment of European nations to increase the scale, capability and interoperability between their militaries.

DW: The tense situation continues in the north of Kosovo. Is DEFENDER Europe 23 considering this situation and its potential escalation?

Martin O'Donnell: The US military in Europe and Africa exercises daily on these two continents. In this way, we take into consideration the situations in nearly 100 countries, including Kosovo.

DW: Can Kosovo return to DEFENDER Europe 23 after its exclusion, if the situation will normalize?

Martin O'Donnell: Kosovo was part of Immediate Response, one of three separate but related DEFENDER 23 exercises that ended last month on May 30. Due to the circumstances in Kosovo and US concerns about the security situation, the US European Command ended the exercise DEFENDER 23 earlier than planned. Despite the early end, the exercise is considered a success as troops from the United States, Kosovo, Turkey, Croatia, North Macedonia and Albania were able to practice military skills and strengthen interoperability during the nearly two weeks of military training.

DW: What strategic importance does DEFENDER 23 have for regional security?

Martin O'Donnell: The exercise shows the commitment of European nations to increase the level of capabilities and interoperability between their militaries. As I said before, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates the US military's ability to rapidly deploy troops and reliable combat equipment, secure allies, deter those who would threaten the peace of Europe, and defend the continent from aggression.

DW: What possible conflicts and crises related to security and peace in Europe could occur in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the tense situation in the north of Kosovo?

Martin O'Donnell: It would be inappropriate for me to speculate on hypothetical situations.

DW: What is Germany's contribution to DEFENDER Europe 23?

Martin O'Donnell: DEFENDER Europe 23 consists of three separate but interrelated military exercises: Rapid Response, Immediate Response and Multinational Combatant Engagement Enhancement (Saber Guardian). For the quick response, Germany provided two German Air Force Airbus A400 aircraft to move personnel and equipment from the 11th Airlift Brigade.

Albania, for the second time, is the host country of a large NATO military exercise

DW: Why did the Command of American military forces in Europe (US EUCOM) choose Albania for the second time as the host country for such a large military exercise?

Martin O'Donnell: Albania has a long history of extensive engagement with NATO, including contributing to US Army exercises in Europe and Africa. This command appreciates Albania's decision to significantly increase its participation in large-scale multinational exercises, including hosting exercise DEFENDER Europe 2021 and 2023 as well as Albania's offer to host exercise DEFENDER Europe 2025 again. Mainly as a result of coordination between the government of Albania, the US Embassy in Tirana and the New Jersey National Guard, which has had a formal partnership with Albania since 2001, the US-Albania defense relationship is extremely strong and is becoming stronger.

DW: What has Albania made available for DEFENDER Europe 23?

Martin O'Donnell: Albania provided command and control for a multinational brigade, Task Force South. Other contributions included special operations forces, infantry troops and logistics support units, which took part in the Immediate Response exercise.

DW: How many nations and troops are participating in DEFENDER Europe 23? What are the main activities?

Martin O'Donnell: Dynamic Force Engagement in Europe for NATO's Enhanced Deterrence and Readiness DEFENDER 23 is the US European Command's largest annual combined and joint exercise, led by the US Army in Europe and Africa. This year's exercise began on April 22 and continues until June 23 in ten European countries.

The US has deployed about 7,000 troops to work alongside 17,000 troops from over 20 European countries. The nearly two-month exercise focuses on the strategic deployment of US-based forces and interoperability with European allies and partners. Each of the three exercises mentioned, within the framework of DEFENDER 23, have unique and challenging objectives: Quick Reaction, tests the ability of the participants to perform three separate, joint and simultaneous operations to be forced into the air.

The Immediate Response exercise allows nations and participants to work through the complexities of rapidly building up military power coming from the US and the military's predeployed stockpiles. Finally, Exercise Saber Guardian provides participating units with unique challenges, such as conducting a forward line crossing and joint force entry operations to capture key terrain objectives.

DW: Is there any reaction from Russia and its allies to DEFENDER Europe 23?

Martin O'Donnell: That question should be better put to Russia. US Ambassador to Germany Amy Gutmann said last week during a press conference, "I would be very surprised if any world leader didn't take into account what DEFENDER Europe 23 shows in terms of the spirit of this alliance, which means the strength of this alliance."/ DW