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Poland to Host Iron Defender-25, Its Largest Military Drills in 2025
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Poland has launched preparations for Iron Defender-25 (Żelazny Obrońca-25), one of the largest military exercises planned by the Polish Armed Forces in 2025. More than 30,000 troops from Poland and allied nations will take part in drills across Orzysz, Ustka, Nowa Dęba, the Baltic Sea, airspace, and cyberspace.
This was reported by Defense24 on September 1.
The maneuvers will test defense systems, including the integration of newly acquired Abrams tanks, K9 howitzers, Chunmoo rocket launchers, Rosomak armored vehicles, and M120 RAK mortars. A key objective is verifying the divisional-level joint fire control system JAGIC (Joint Air-Ground Integration Center), led by the 18th Mechanized Division.
Military columns will begin redeployments in late August and early September, moving equipment and personnel to training grounds by road and rail. The operations are coordinated with police, road authorities, and the Military Police to ensure safe movement across multiple regions.
The drills will also integrate with Poland’s National Deterrence and Defense Program “Eastern Shield” and serve as preparation for certifying the 2nd Polish Corps. Air Force, Navy, Territorial Defense Forces, Special Forces, and NATO’s Forward Land Forces stationed in Poland will also participate.
Polish officials stress that Iron Defender-25 is not aimed at any particular country. Instead, it demonstrates the unity and professionalism of NATO allies, while highlighting the ongoing modernization of the Polish Armed Forces and their role as a cornerstone of security in Central and Eastern Europe.
Earlier, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan joined the Collective Security Treaty Organization drills in Belarus.
The exercises opened with a parade in Vitebsk featuring troops from Belarus, Russia, and the three Central Asian states, and will run for a week at the Losvido and Lepelsky training grounds.
