For the first time in Armenian history, forces from Armenia, the United States, France, and Greece have come together under a single set of military drills. Eagle Partner 2026 officially launched today, June 17, and runs through June 25 at the Zar training center north of Yerevan, marking the fourth annual edition of the exercise and the first time European militaries have taken part, expanding what had been a bilateral Armenia–U.S. format into a multinational one, according to Armenia’s Defense Ministry and the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.
The exercise builds on longstanding U.S.–Armenia defense cooperation and is aimed at strengthening preparation for international peacekeeping operations.
The exercise involves 250 Armenian service members from the Peacekeeping Brigade, 58 U.S. personnel from U.S. Army Europe and Africa and the Kansas National Guard, 24 French troops, and 11 Greek service members. The joint training focuses on improving interoperability between participating units, exchanging best practices in command and tactical communication, and enhancing the readiness of Armenia’s peacekeeping forces.
At the opening ceremony, participating service members were welcomed by Major General Artur Yeroyan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Armenia’s Armed Forces, with the national anthems of Armenia, the United States, France, and Greece performed alongside the Eagle Partner anthem.
First launched in September 2023, Eagle Partner has become an annual exercise reflecting growing defense cooperation between Armenia and the United States. The inaugural drills included 85 U.S. service members and 174 Armenian troops.
The inclusion of France reflects a broader defense partnership that has emerged in recent years, as Paris has become one of Armenia’s leading European security partners since the two countries signed their first arms deal in October 2023. One of the most notable pillars of this cooperation has been France’s delivery of CAESAR self-propelled artillery systems, part of a 36-unit order signed in 2024, the first of which appeared publicly in Armenia during Republic Day parade rehearsals in May 2026.
The developments come alongside Armenia’s participation in the Eurosatory 2026 international defense and security exhibition in Paris, one of the world’s major defense industry forums. Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, and Defense Minister Suren Papikyan attended alongside representatives of 30 Armenian domestic defense companies. The event featured the signing of a new cooperation agreement between Armenian military technology company BooTech and Thales, a global arms company founded in France.
