The US Army has made a significant move by deploying its Avenger air defense system to Africa for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in multinational military cooperation. This deployment is part of the extensive African Lion 2025 exercise, taking place at the Ben Ghilouf Training Center in Tunisia, where troops from the 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment are stationed.
During the exercise, the Humvee-mounted Avenger system successfully fired a Stinger surface-to-air missile, showcasing its capabilities in short-range air defense. The live-fire demonstration served to illustrate the Avenger’s agility and effectiveness in challenging environments, confidently proving its capacity to provide rapid, mobile protection across the demanding terrain of North Africa.
The Avenger, developed by Boeing, serves as a crucial element of the US Army’s layered air defense network. It is equipped with eight Stinger missiles specifically designed to intercept low-altitude threats, including drones, helicopters, and light aircraft. In addition, the system features a 12.7mm machine gun for close-range defense and exhibits the capability to engage targets while mobile, reaching speeds of up to 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) per hour. The platform is also fitted with advanced sensors, infrared cameras, and identification friend-or-foe technology, enhancing its precision and effectiveness in combat situations.
African Lion 2025 stands as the largest annual military exercise on the African continent, involving more than 10,000 troops from over 40 nations, which includes participation from seven NATO allies. The training operations span several countries, including Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, and will continue until May 23. This year’s focus is on honing joint operations in austere, multi-domain environments. A representative from the US Army Southern European Task Force emphasized the importance of the exercise, stating, “This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations — preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.”
The deployment of the Avenger system during African Lion 2025 not only showcases advanced military technology but also underscores the commitment to international collaboration in addressing security challenges across the African continent.
