The exercise replaces the long-running DEFENDER series and will involve U.S. and allied forces operating in the High North, the Baltic region and Poland. Army officials said the drills are designed to operationalise the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, a concept aimed at helping NATO and U.S. forces execute the alliance’s integrated land defence plans.
“Sword 26 tests our lethality and ability to harness data and AI-enabled warfare at scale to operate with NATO Allies,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue. “It’s the application of Army Transformation to fight NATO’s regional plans across all domains in the High North, Baltic region, and Poland.”
The exercise includes three linked drills: Saber Strike, Immediate Response and Swift Response. Each is intended to test different aspects of NATO’s operational readiness.
Saber Strike focuses on rapid overland deployments in the Baltic region. Immediate Response is designed to demonstrate sustainment and combat operations in the High North, while Swift Response tests the deployment of specialised equipment from the United States and within Europe.
The previous DEFENDER series, which ran from 2020 to 2025, focused primarily on moving U.S. forces into Europe and integrating them with allied formations. Army officials said Sword shifts attention toward validating NATO regional defence plans and advancing the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative.
The exercise also provides an opportunity for U.S. forces to test emerging military technologies. These include AI-enabled command-and-control systems and broader multi-domain operational concepts.
“Sword 26 allows us to test and train a number of efforts,” said Col. James Egan. “Our Allies are stepping up to meet NATO’s pledge to invest in formations and capabilities.”
“From setting the network to integrating sensors and unmanned systems, this exercise puts it all together to command and control forces in the field, across the Eastern Flank,” Egan added.
Approximately 15,500 personnel are expected to take part in Sword 26. The U.S. Army said the exercise is intended to demonstrate allied readiness and strengthen deterrence across northern and eastern Europe.
