The largest air force exercises in NATO history will take place in Germany
In two weeks, large-scale air force exercises will commence in Germany involving NATO member countries. These exercises will mark the largest of their kind in the Alliance's history, as reported by Spiegel.
The Air Defender-2023 exercises, under the leadership of Germany, will last 10 days, from June 12 to June 23. Almost 90% of all manoeuvres are planned over German territory and over the coastal zones of the North and Baltic seas.
Approximately 250 aircraft and helicopters will take part in these exercises, around a hundred units of which will be from the US Air Force.
Ingo Gerhartz, Inspector of the German Air Force, explained that the exercises are intended to demonstrate the allies' readiness to respond swiftly to threats as necessary.
"They will operate over Europe for several hours. This strengthens our transatlantic link in case of crisis," he stated.
Gerhartz noted that only "isolated manoeuvres" are planned near Russian airspace, and only defensive scenarios will be practiced.
"Of course, simulating sorties towards Kaliningrad would be a provocation. But we will not be doing that," the Inspector clarified. The exercises are restricted to the "defence of NATO territory".
The exercises are planned to be conducted in close coordination with civilian dispatchers and Eurocontrol to ensure the manoeuvres do not inconvenience civilian aviation.
Gerhartz emphasized that the Luftwaffe "works closely with Germany's air traffic management, the Ministry of Transport and Eurocontrol to minimize consequences".
Meanwhile, the Inspector of the Air Force acknowledged that some consequences have to be accepted for the sake of our own security.
"These exercises serve to ensure that people can continue to fly on holiday in peace and freedom," he said.
Recall that Germany may add the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter to the coalition of aircraft for Ukraine. This was stated by the Ukrainian Minister of Defence, Oleksiy Reznikov. He sees the possibility of expanding the fighter coalition by receiving Eurofighters from Germany.
In his opinion, a coalition of fighter aircraft could be formed with the basic model being the American F-16, along with the Eurofighter and Swedish Gripen. Reznikov also believes that Ukraine currently needs about 120 fighters and training for Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots.
The training plan for pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on F-16 fighters is being handled by Denmark and the Netherlands. Negotiations are underway with Poland and Belgium on training Ukrainian military pilots on combat aircraft. In Denmark, it is assumed that training of the Armed Forces on F-16 fighters could begin as early as July.