On April 25, 2025, U.S. soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, part of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, deployed the Avenger air defense system at the Ben Ghilouf Training Center in Tunisia.
This event took place during African Lion 2025 (AL25), a major multinational military exercise, and marked the first time the Avenger system has been used in North Africa and within the African Lion framework.
The Avenger, a mobile air defense system mounted on an HMMWV vehicle and armed with FIM-92 Stinger missiles, was showcased to highlight its capabilities in a region facing evolving security challenges.
The Avenger AN/TWQ-1, developed by Boeing in the 1980s, is designed to counter threats such as cruise missiles, drones, light aircraft, and helicopters. It carries eight Stinger missiles and a 12.7 mm M3P machine gun, offering a blend of firepower and mobility.
Capable of firing on the move at speeds up to 35 km/h and navigating tough terrain, the system is equipped with advanced sensors, including optical and infrared cameras, and integrates into the U.S. Army’s Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) architecture.
This deployment highlights its adaptability to modern threats, particularly in Africa, where armed drones and low-altitude aerial incursions are increasingly common.
African Lion 2025, organized by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of U.S. Africa Command, runs from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Tunisia, Ghana, Morocco, and Senegal. Involving over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies, and nearly 10,000 troops, the exercise aims to enhance interoperability among allied forces in a complex multi-domain environment.
“This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.” Says the US Army.
The deployment of the Avenger system aligns with this goal, demonstrating a capability that none of the host nations currently possess. Tunisia relies on older systems like the S-125 Pechora and RBS-70, Morocco uses Chinese HQ-9 and Israeli Barak MX solutions, while Ghana and Senegal have limited air defense resources.
The core events of African Lion 25 include field training exercises, airborne and amphibious operations, special operations forces activities, HIMARS rapid insertion (HIRAIN), humanitarian civic assistance, and medical readiness engagements. Notably, the exercise will test new capabilities such as integrated cyber defense training and the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), showcasing the latest advancements in military technology and tactics.
The U.S. has a track record of introducing advanced defense systems to African Lion, such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) deployed in the previous year’s exercise. This year’s introduction of the Avenger reflects a strategic intent to address emerging threats in austere environments while promoting U.S. defense technology to African partners.
Amid growing competition from Russia and China, both of whom are expanding their influence on the continent, the deployment serves as both a tactical demonstration and a diplomatic signal, reinforcing U.S. commitment to strengthening security partnerships in Africa.
