NATO, U.S. To Stage Large-Scale Military Exercises Around Serbia until Summer

Military excesize (Beta/Defence Ministry/Jovo Mamula)

A large-scale military exercise by the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its allies, dubbed Defender-Europe 21, began in mid-March and will last until the second half of June, while most of the activities will unfold in the Balkans and in Serbia's immediate neighborhood.

The Balkan Security Network reported on March 20 that the exercise consisted of a series of small-scale tactical maneuvers, and was part of a string of U.S. military manoeuvres to strengthen the capacity for the joint performance of military operations and partnerships by the U.S. military and its European allies.

"Defender-Europe 21 brings together some 30,000 soldiers from 27 states who are performing maneuvers over a large territory. Most of the troops are from the U.S. One of the goals of the exercise is to move squadron-sized units from stations in the U.S. to a potential battlefield site in Europe. All of the countries in the region, except for Serbia, are taking part in the exercise, including the Kosovo Security Force," the Balkan Security Network said.

The Balkans are the main area where the exercise is taking place, while training centers in the Baltic states and Germany will be used to a lesser degree.

Nearly all of the biggest military training centers in the region will be used such as Slunj in Croatia, Manjaca and Glamoc in Bosnia (Republika Srpska), Krivolak in North Macedonia and Bondsteel near Urosevac in Kosovo. A total of 30 military training centers across Europe will be utilized as well.