The largest air exercise ever conducted by the Euro-Atlantic military alliance has concluded in Germany, signaling confidence among commanders in their ability to provide a collective defense.
With real conflict unfolding nearby, NATO engaged in a comprehensive simulation involving 250 military aircraft, including 100 from the United States. This exercise, known as Air Defender 23, took place in Germany, a region with highly congested airspace.
Despite initial concerns, the exercise performed exceptionally well, resulting in an average of 22,000 “delay minutes” over the 12-day period. This outcome surpassed expectations, as authorities had anticipated up to 95,000 minutes of delays that could have significantly impacted regular flights.
Air Defender 23 was initially planned four years ago, long before the escalation of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the exercise as a demonstration of deterrence against potential adversaries, noting that Russia would undoubtedly take notice of the event.
The successful execution of the exercise also served to boost Germany’s reputation in terms of its military capabilities. The Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces, has faced criticism for being under-equipped, underfunded, and ill-prepared to defend the country and its allies. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine prompted efforts to strengthen Germany’s defense capabilities.
While there were some challenges related to information technology and data integration, approximately 90% of the planned sorties were successfully carried out. This emphasized the importance of practical training and highlighted the necessity of a unified data network to facilitate operations involving multiple aircraft from different nations.
Overall, Air Defender 23 was hailed as a resounding success by Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, the chief of the German air force, who commended the exercise not only for its tactical achievements but also for the strong camaraderie among participants. Pilots from different countries developed strong bonds, and Gerhartz noted instances of emotional farewells when the exercise concluded.
Reflecting on the exercise, US Air Force Brig. Gen. Allison Miller, deputy of NATO’s Joint Force Air Component, expressed gratitude to Germany for their exceptional planning and execution. She emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and highlighted Air Defender 2023 as evidence of the alliance’s ability to integrate with partner countries for collective defense.