NATO to hold largest air exercise in history with member Finland

The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) recently announced that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is planning to hold an air force exercise of unprecedented scale in the history of the alliance next June. The content of the announcement was posted on the Bundeswehr website.

NATO is planning to hold its largest air force exercise, Air Defender 23. Photo: Johannes Heyn/BUNDESWEHR

According to the statement, the air force exercise named “Air Defender 23” will take place over 12 days, from June 12 to 23, with the expected participation of 10,000 soldiers from 24 countries and more than 200 fighter jets, of which the US will send 100 fighter jets to participate in the exercise.

The exercises will take place in European airspace under the command of the German Air Force. The countries will deploy fighter jets to assemble in Germany.

The Air Defender 23 exercise is described as a “challenging exercise scenario” for troops with airborne operations. The goal of the exercise is to optimize and enhance cooperation between NATO forces as well as demonstrate the strength of the alliance.

The “Air Defender 23” exercise coincides with a separate US-led exercise called “Defender 23” taking place in Europe.

The “Defender 23” exercise is scheduled to begin April 22 and last for two months, spanning 10 different European countries, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said last week.

“This nearly two-month annual exercise focuses on the strategic deployment of US forces, the use of pre-positioned military reserves and the ability to interoperate with European allies and partners,” Singh said at a press conference.

Ms. Singh revealed that about 9,000 US soldiers and 17,000 soldiers from 26 allies and partners participated in the exercise.

The Air Defender 23 exercise is led by US forces in Europe and Africa and is scheduled to begin in 2021. The exercise is designed to demonstrate the ability of US soldiers to rapidly deploy forces and equipment to protect allies and deter those who threaten peace in Europe.

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