NATO plans largest German-led air force deployment in Europe next week

NATO will launch the largest air force deployment exercise in Europe in the alliance’s history next week, according to German and US officials.

The “Air Defender 23” exercise, organised by Germany, will last about ten days and will feature 220 military aircraft from 25 NATO and partner nations.

Amy Gutmann, US Ambassador to Germany, presented the plans, saying that while the exercise was solely defensive in nature, it was designed to send a message to nations such as Russia.

“I would be pretty surprised if any world leader was not taking note of what this shows in terms of the spirit of this alliance, which means the strength of this alliance, and that includes Mr Putin,” she told reporters, referring to the Russian president.

“By synchronising together, we multiply our force.”

The exercise will include operational and tactical-level training, primarily in Germany, but also in the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia.

General Ingo Gerhartz of the German Luftwaffe said “Air Defender” was conceived in 2018 in part as a response to the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, although he stressed it was “not targeted at anyone”.

“We are a defensive alliance and that is how this exercise is planned,” he said.

General Michael Loh, director of the US Air National Guard, said NATO’s duties were at an “inflection point”.

“A great deal has changed on the strategic landscape throughout the world, especially here in Europe,” he said.

“This exercise focuses on supplementing the permanent United States presence in Europe” as well as providing training “on a larger scale than what was usually accomplished on the continent”, Loh added.

Gutmann said that while there were no plans to make “Air Defender” a recurring exercise, she added: “We have no desire for this to be the last.”

Asked about potential disruption to civilian air transport during the exercise, Gerhartz insisted the planners had done “everything in our power” to prevent flight delays or cancellations as school holidays begin in some German regions.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.