The largest NATO air force exercise in the history of the military alliance begins on Monday. In total, 25 of the 31 Member States are involved in the “Air Defender” maneuver involving 250 aircraft. The exercise, led by Germany, will run until June 23. With regard to Russia, it is emphasized: “This exercise is not against anyone.”
“We are a defensive alliance and this exercise is also meant to be defensive,” German Air Force inspector Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz said on Wednesday. The lieutenant general assured that NATO airspace would not be left: “We are not flying to Kaliningrad.” The nature of the exercise is defensive, but NATO will make it unmistakably clear that the alliance area is the “red line” and will be defended. by all means.
During the manoeuvres, there may also be restrictions on civil air traffic and more aircraft noise is to be expected. However, Gerhartz continued that this can be justified with a view to ensuring the alliance’s ability to defend itself.
The planning has been going on for more than four years
According to Gerhartz, planning for “Air Defender” under German leadership began as far back as 2018. At the time, Russia’s illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine was agitated, and it was clear that NATO would once again focus more on national and allied defense.
Source: Krone
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