Balkan Countries Host ‘Immediate Response’ NATO Exercise

A US soldier gestures to a North Macedonian armoured vehicles near Kumanovo, North Macedonia. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Citizens of several Balkan countries over the weekend and on Monday have had an opportunity to see displays of military equipment being used for the NATO "Immediate Response" military exercise.

"Immediate Response 23" is the second of three connected exercises making up the so-called, Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness 2023 Exercise, or DEFENDER 23.

DEFENDER 23 will see the participation of 24,000 soldiers of the armed forces of the 25 NATO member countries and partner countries.

Soldiers from several countries attend the opening ceremony in Kosovo on Sunday. Photo: Kosovo Defence Ministry.

At the opening ceremony on Sunday, in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, the US ambassador to Kosovo, Jeff Hovenier, said that the exercise was important in reassuring NATO allies and partner countries in the light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

One of the goals of the exercise, he said, "is to demonstrate the ability of US military forces to quickly deploy combat-ready troops and equipment to reassure allies, deter those who might threaten peace in Europe and protect this continent from aggression".

Kosovo is participating in the exercise as a partner country, committing some 1,700 troops to it.

US military equipment disembarks in Zadar, Croatia. Photo: Croatian Defence Ministry

In Croatia, exercises will be performed at the "Josip Jovic" military camp in Udbina and the "Eugen Kvaternik" military training ground near Slunj.

As part of the preparations, last Thursday, two Croatian navy ships, Cetina...