International military exercises begin on Croatian territory
Over 1,500 members of the Croatian Armed Forces and about 1,000 members of the foreign armed forces are expected to participate in the exercises “IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 25”, “LAUFER 25” and “LIFT 25” in Croatia
The international military exercise “IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 25” will be held from 26 May to 9 June 2025, on the territory of Croatia, Albania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Slovakia. About 12,000 participants from a total of 20 countries will participate in the exercise.
Exercise “IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 25” is part of a series of exercises called “DEFENDER 25” conducted by the US Army Europe and Africa Command (USAREUR-AF) in May and June 2025, which will demonstrate the capabilities of the US military as well as European and NATO allies and partners in conducting large-scale operations on European soil.
The objective of the exercise is to develop interoperability with NATO and partner country forces aimed at developing capacities in support of NATO regional plans.
In direct support to the exercise “IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 25”, the exercises “LAUFER 25” and “LIFT 25” are conducted in the same period of time under the leadership of units from the Croatian Army, and in which members of foreign armed forces participate, from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, FR Germany, Slovenia, North Macedonia and the USA.
More than 1,500 members of the Croatian Armed Forces and about 1,000 members of foreign allied and partner armed forces are expected to participate in all activities of the military exercises “IMMEDIATE RESPONSE 25”, “LAUFER 25” and “LIFT 25” in the Republic of Croatia. They will be conducted at several military locations: at Gakovo training area, Eugen Kvaternik training areas in Slunj and Josip Markić in Knin, and at Josip Jović barracks in Udbina.
Increased noise and road traffic can be expected at these locations during preparation and implementation of the above activities.