NATO's largest air defense exercise – Air Defender 23 - starts in Germany

On June 12, the North Atlantic Alliance will launch the largest training exercise in the history of the bloc for air forces based on the European continent to demonstrate the commitment of the partners to address potential security threats, such as Russia.

This was reported by the Bundeswehr

Germany will become the center of Air Defender 23 exercises from June 12 to 23. Six airfields located in different parts of the country will host about 250 aircraft from NATO member states, along with Japan and Sweden, which intends to join the bloc.

The exercises are planned to take place in three flight zones, including northern Germany, the North Sea and the East of the country. The airspace of the flight zones will be closed to civilian air traffic during the training period. The restrictions will reportedly last for several hours each day.

In total, more than 10,000 troops from across the Alliance are expected to take part in the exercise. During Air Defender 23, the military will practice responding to pre-developed training scenarios, e.g. evacuation from the airfield, air support for ground troops, attacking enemy fighters and intercepting medium-range missiles.  

Last year, at the NATO summit in Madrid, the bloc changed its doctrine for the first time, recognizing Russia as a threat against the backdrop of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 

“We continue to face distinct threats from all strategic directions.  The Russian Federation is the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.  Terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, continues to pose a direct threat to the security of our populations, and to international stability and prosperity.  We categorically reject and condemn terrorism in the strongest possible terms.  With determination, resolve, and in solidarity, Allies will continue to counter Russian threats and respond to its hostile actions and to fight terrorism, in a manner consistent with international law,” the Alliance said. 

A year later, NATO air exercises are taking place alongside reports of the retaking of new territories from Russian occupation by Ukraine's armed forces. The alliance seeks to demonstrate its ability to defend security – to the whole world and "including the Kremlin," US Ambassador to Germany Amy Gutmann emphasized to reporters.

The full-scale war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine has become the bloodiest war since World War II. The Alliance has been forced to step up its efforts to respond to the growing threats for the first time in many years. At the upcoming NATO summit in July, members are expected to discuss a precise plan of action in the event of Russian aggression and to summarize Ukraine's membership in NATO as the only way to stop the war on the Alliance's eastern borders.