On June 9, 2025, at the Training Center “Pepelishte”, the military exercise Immediate Response 25 was officially closed with a ceremonial formation.
Lieutenant Colonel Risto Stoev, co-director of the exercise, addressed the formation of participants, expressing his satisfaction with the hard work, professionalism, mutual cooperation, and exceptional dedication of all participants. The exercise was officially declared closed.
The exercise fully achieved its objective of enhancing and verifying the interoperability and operational capability of the allies for conducting conventional operations, organizing battlefield systems, and improving tactics and techniques in the conduct of operations. This contributes to creating greater resilience and self-sustainability on the battlefield.
The exercise Immediate Response 25 is part of Defender Europe 25, the largest NATO exercise in Europe this year, led by the U.S. Army. It is conducted across the territories of NATO member states in southern Europe, with participation from NATO armies from Europe: Montenegro, Albania, Italy, Greece, the United Kingdom, as well as a unit from Austria and Kosovo, as part of the joint exercise program of USEUCOM-AF. Through ground and live-fire exercises, readiness, interoperability, and deterrence capabilities among NATO allies and partners are being enhanced.
