Coronavirus Causes Further Reductions In Exercise Defender-Europe 20

Training exercises linked to Exercise Defender-Europe 20 - the biggest deployment of US troops to Europe for an exercise in 25 years - have been cancelled due to coronavirus. 

The main exercise itself is continuing, however, associated sub-exercises have been called off.

Exercise Defender-Europe 20 was designed to test America's ability to rapidly deploy a large force in support of NATO operations in Europe, as well as encompassing a number of other exercises that usually take place each year.

It was expected to involve the deployment of more than 20,000 American troops, but this is being reduced and "all movement of personnel and equipment from the United States to Europe has ceased", US Army Europe said.

"The health, safety and readiness of our military, civilians, and family members is our primary concern," the statement continued.

"Linked exercises to Exercise Defender-Europe 20 - Dynamic Front, Joint Warfighting Assessment, Saber Strike and Swift Response - will not be conducted.

"Forces already deployed to Europe for other linked exercises will return to the United States."

The UK was expected to be the biggest non-US contributor on Defender-Europe 20, with around 2,600 soldiers involved.

An armoured brigade of US troops and military equipment will stay in Poland until the end of May to continue participation in the main exercise.

A total of 37,000 personnel from 18 nations were expected to participate in Defender-Europe 20, across 10 European nations.

It comes as European Union countries are expected to announce the closure of their borders for 30 days over the pandemic.

The German army has confirmed that Defender-Europe 20-related training exercises in Bergen-Hohne and Grafenwoehr have both been cancelled.