NATO launches largest air force exercise with 250 aircraft, 10,000 personnel

In an unprecedented show of unity, NATO has commenced its largest-ever air force deployment exercise, involving 25 member and partner countries. The German Air Force-led “Air Defender 23” exercises began on Monday, with approximately 250 military aircraft and up to 10,000 service members taking part. The drills are designed to improve interoperability and preparedness of NATO air forces in crisis situations, including protection against drones and cruise missiles within NATO territory.

Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz of the German Luftwaffe emphasised the importance of the exercise, stating, “The significant message we’re sending is that we can defend ourselves.” Conceived in 2018, partly in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Gerhartz insisted that the exercise was not targeted at any specific nation.

The exercise comes at a crucial time for NATO, with Finland recently becoming its 31st member and Sweden’s membership bid currently stalled due to objections from Turkey and Hungary. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the central importance of NATO’s air forces, stating that the exercise aims to demonstrate NATO and the German Air Force’s readiness to defend themselves against any threats to freedom and security.

General Michael Loh, director of the US Air National Guard, noted that NATO’s duties were at an “inflexion point,” with the strategic landscape in Europe having changed significantly. The exercise will focus on supplementing the permanent US presence in Europe and providing large-scale training for alliance pilots, many of whom are working together for the first time.

This development coincides with NATO officials reporting that alliance fighter jets scrambled on numerous missions last week to investigate unidentified Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The increased presence of Russian aircraft has been attributed to the annual US-led naval military exercise, BALTOPS, taking place in the Baltic Sea, as well as the Russian Baltic Fleet’s ongoing military exercises.