Germany kicks off largest multinational air force exercise
The exercise involves almost 10.000 personnel and more than 250 aircraft from 25 nations and NATO. (Photo: NATO)
German-led multinational exercise Air Defender 23, taking place between 12 and 23 June, is the largest air force deployment in NATO's history.
The objective is to exercise air operations with allied and partner air forces, with the focus on optimising and expanding cooperation among participating nations.
‘With exercise Air Defender 23, we are opening a new chapter in transatlantic history,’ said Lt Gen Ingo Gerhartz, Chief of the German Air Force, earlier this year.
The drill, which Germany started to plan in 2018, is based on a collective defence scenario also known as Article 5 scenario in which allies deploy their air forces to Germany to fight against hybrid occupation forces from a fictitious opponent.
Related Articles
Germany greenlights F-35 jet purchase for nuclear strike role
QinetiQ partners with US Navy and NATO on Formidable Shield exercise
India draws mixed lessons from multinational military exercises
In coordinated combined operations, the allied air forces demonstrate they are capable of defending NATO territory with swift decisive action.
The exercise involves almost 10.000 personnel and more than 250 aircraft from 25 nations and NATO.
The USAF deploying to Germany are mostly Air National Guard units from 35 US states. The bulk of participating forces operate out of three German Air Force bases and others fly in from their home bases.
Germany's ability to receive and host large aircraft contingents at its airfields enabled among others the US Agile Combat Employment concept facilitating short-term and out-and-back deployments.
Air Defender is also a major demonstration of NATO's Deterrence and Defence in the Euro-Altantic area that is to reassure populations of Allied cohesion and commitment.
You may also like
More from Training
-
![Cubic tailors mortar simulator for the US Army]()
Cubic tailors mortar simulator for the US Army
The company’s mortar trainer received improvements based on soldier’s feedback.
-
![Saab expands footprint in the US]()
Saab expands footprint in the US
The company will operate in two new locations in the coming years to better support US services.
-
![How terrain management capabilities can improve military training]()
How terrain management capabilities can improve military training
This type of tool provides more realistic training easing the incorporation of new scenarios that accurately represent the threats of the battlefield.
-
![I/ITSEC 2024: Australian Army approaches second phase of countermining training]()
I/ITSEC 2024: Australian Army approaches second phase of countermining training
The Engineering Corps has been conducting individual instruction using FLAIM Systems’ Sweeper and should start collective deployments in 2025.
-
![I/ITSEC 2024: Zeiss introduces Velvet 4K SIM projector for night flight simulation]()
I/ITSEC 2024: Zeiss introduces Velvet 4K SIM projector for night flight simulation
The next-generation platform is motion-compatible and can be used in OTW and NVG applications.
-
![I/ITSEC 2024: Saab introduces UAV live training capability]()
I/ITSEC 2024: Saab introduces UAV live training capability
The system can be used to prepare soldiers for both drone offensive operations and CUAS missions.
