‘Defending Europe’: 20,000 US troops to be deployed across Atlantic for 2020 training exercise

The United States military is preparing a massive exercise early next year in Europe involving 20,000 soldiers from the US, AP reports. This would be the largest deployment across the Atlantic for training in more than 25 years.

US European Command said Monday the ‘Defender Europe 20’ exercise from April to May 2020 will support NATO objectives “to build readiness within the alliance and deter potential adversaries.”

Eighteen countries are expected to take part in exercises across 10 countries, including Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Georgia. The event will also involve 9,000 more Americans already stationed in Europe and 8,000 European troops.

The exercise “confirms that the US commitment to NATO and the defense of Europe remains ironclad,” the military said.