NATO launches “Air Defender 23”: Largest Air Exercise in its History

NATO kicks off its largest air maneuvers exercise on Monday. This is coordinated by Germany and intended to show the unity of its members in the face of potential threats, particularly from Russia. The “Air Defender 23” exercise will run until June 23 and will bring together some 250 military aircraft from 25 NATO member and partner countries, including NATO candidate countries Japan and Sweden. .

Up to 10,000 people will take part in these exercises designed to strengthen interoperability and protection against drones and cruise missiles in the event of an attack on cities, airports or ports located on NATO territory. The drill was designed in 2018, partly in response to Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, though it’s not specifically targeting “anyone”, said Army Chief General Ingo Gerhartz. the German Air Force, during the presentation of the exercise.

NATO is determined to defend “every centimeter” of its territory but “no flights, for example, in the direction of Kaliningrad”, the Russian enclave which borders Poland and Lithuania, members of NATO, will be sent. he assured. “We are a defensive alliance and that is how this exercise is planned,” insisted the general. But these maneuvers will also aim to send a message, in particular to Russia, explained to the press the ambassador of the United States in Germany, Amy Gutmann.

“I would be very surprised if a world leader did not take note of what this shows in terms of the spirit of this alliance, what the strength of this alliance means, and that includes Mr. Putin,” she said. valorize.

Russia’s war against Ukraine has galvanized the Western military alliance created nearly 75 years ago to confront the Soviet Union. Finland and Sweden, which have long maintained official neutrality to avoid any conflict with Moscow, have both asked to join NATO, after the Russian invasion of February 24, 2022.

The exercise will include operational and tactical training, primarily in Germany, but also in the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia. For General Michael Loh, Director of the US Air National Guard, NATO missions are at an “inflection point”. “A lot has changed in the global strategic landscape, especially here in Europe,” he points out.

The exercise will aim to “supplement the permanent presence of the United States in Europe” and to provide training “on a larger scale than what is usually accomplished on the continent”, adds the officer.

Asked about potential disruptions civil air transport during the exercise, General Gerhartz insisted that planners would do “everything in their power” to limit flight delays or cancellations, as school holidays begin in some parts of the country. ‘Germany.