NATO begins major military exercise in Europe

The German-led exercise, dubbed Air Defender 23, will involve around 250 military aircraft from 25 NATO countries and partner nations including Japan and Sweden. The event will run until June 23.

NATO begins major exercises in Europe photo 1 — An aircraft participating in NATO's "Air Defender 23" exercise. Photo: AFP

Up to 10,000 members of the military forces are taking part in these exercises, with the stated goal of NATO being to enhance coordination and readiness to defend against drones and cruise missiles in the event of attack.

"The important message we are sending is that we can defend ourselves," Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz of the German Air Force said on public television. The first flights began at noon on Monday from Wunstorf, Jagel and Lechfeld air bases.

He said the exercise, which was first held in 2018, would not be “targeted at any country”, adding: “We are a defence alliance and that is how this exercise is planned”.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Wunstorf in northern Germany on Saturday to protest against the exercises, under the banner “Keep the peace – not war”. The protesters called for a “ diplomatic solution” to the war in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire.

US Ambassador to Germany Amy Gutmann said the exercise would demonstrate “the flexibility and mobility of our allied forces… By synchronizing together, we will strengthen the alliance”.

The Air Defender 23 exercise will include operational and tactical operations, mainly in Germany, but also in the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia, with a total of about 2,000 flights.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will visit pilots at Jagel airfield in northern Germany on Friday. General Michael Loh, director of the US Air National Guard, said NATO was at a “turning point”, adding: “There are a lot of changes in the strategic landscape around the world , especially in Europe.”

The exercise will focus on “supplementing the long-term US presence in Europe” as well as providing training “on a larger scale than what is typically done on the continent,” Loh added.

Asked about the potential disruption to civilian air traffic during the exercise, General Gerhartz said the command would do “everything in its power” to minimize flight delays or cancellations.

German authorities and industry have warned that flight schedules could be affected, especially at major hubs such as Frankfurt and Berlin due to their proximity to the exercise areas.

Huy Hoang (according to AFP, DW)

Source