As the initial phase of Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian invaders unfolds on the battlefield,
a multitude of warplanes, from some of Ukraine’s strongest backers, dominate the skies over
Germany, where NATO is conducting its most extensive aerial war games to date.
Under the official title of Air Defender 2023 (AD23), this air combat exercise marks the
largest in NATO's history and is currently in progress.
AD23 is scheduled to take place between June 12-23.
Germany, taking substantial responsibility for the coordination of the event, has meticulously
planned AD23 since 2018.
According to a NATO press release, “Air Defender 2023” is bringing together
250 warplanes – including 190 fighter jets – and 10,000 troops in drills designed to
boost the alliance’s preparedness and ability “to protect against aircraft, drones and
missile attacks on cities and critical infrastructure,”
In this video, Defense Updates reports on Air Defender 2023 exercise
Let’s get started.
Bringing 25 nations and NATO, this exercise has a significant U.S. military presence,
as the U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) contributes approximately 100 aircraft, making up nearly
half of the total fleet involved.
Germany's contribution to the exercise is noteworthy, with over 60 aircraft from their
forces actively participating.
Specific aerial assets in AD23 will include a wide range of aircraft, including the F-35A,
F-15C, and F-16; the A-10C; Typhoon the KC-135 and KC-46A tankers for refueling operations;
and the C-17A and C-130J aircraft as the ANG’s primary modes of transportation.
An MQ-9 Reaper drone from the Texas Air Guard’s 147th Attack Wing will be employed.
Some reports indicate that US Navy F/A-18 fighters will also be utilized for the exercise.
Three air exercise areas will be used for two to four hours a day, according to Germany’s
air command.
Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, director of the U.S. Air National Guard stated, during a press
conference at the German Embassy in Washington back in April,
“Air Defender 23 strategically unites the United States and Germany.
[The exercise] tests not only our interoperability to work together, but it also tests our ability
to rapidly deploy and rapidly employ [coalition air power].”
The Bundeswehr noted AD23, seeks to test the "joint responsiveness of... allied air forces
in a crisis situation,"
Throughout the eleven-day exercise, a diverse range of simulated training missions will
be executed, encompassing combined air assaults that confront formidable challenges such as
dense surface-to-air missile systems and electronic warfare threats.
The training will also emphasize offensive and defensive counter-air operations, serving
as a focal point for enhancing participants' capabilities.
AD23 will also provide U.S. forces and allies with opportunities to practice interoperability
beyond aerial maneuvers.
For example, two USAF B-1B Lancers landed at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania,
for hot-pit refueling.
Hot-pit refueling provides aircraft with the ability to land and refuel without the need
to shut down their engines, resulting in quicker turnaround times and increased operational
readiness by ensuring the aircraft can remain in a flyable state.
In addition to its objective of "enhancing and broadening cooperation among the participating
nations," AD23, as highlighted by the Bundeswehr, is designed based on a NATO Article 5 assistance
scenario.
Article 5 provides that if a NATO Ally is the victim of an armed attack, each and every
other member of the Alliance will consider this act of violence as an armed attack against
all members and will take the actions it deems necessary to assist the Ally attacked.
NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time in its history after the 9/11 terrorist attacks
against the United States.
According to NATO, exercises based on an Article 5 assistance scenario aim to simulate a conflict
involving NATO partners against hybrid occupation forces from a fictional adversary.
Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, Germany’s air force chief who is overseeing AD23, told ZDF television
as The Associated Press reports, “The exercise is a signal — a signal above
all to us, a signal to us, the NATO countries, but also to our population that we are in
a position to react very quickly ... that we would be able to defend the alliance in
case of attack,”
While AD23 does not officially aim to simulate scenarios involving specific adversaries,
the initial planning process appears to have been influenced by Russia's annexation of
Crimea in 2014.
According to Lt. Gen. Gerhartz, who proposed the exercise and spoke about its motivation,
"the trigger for me... was the capture, the annexation of Crimea," as reported by the
New York Times.
During a recent briefing on AD23, U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Amy Gutmann, highlighted the significance
of the exercise, stating, "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...
That includes Mr. Putin," as noted by the Times.
However, some key figures within the German military power circle have adopted a different
standpoint, possibly to avoid escalating tensions with Russia.
Lieutenant General Günter Katz, the commanding general of the Bundeswehr Air Force Command,
clarified that "the decision to start planning for AD23 was made in 2018 and actually has
nothing to do with the Russia-Ukraine war."
In response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine starting in February 2022, NATO
has maintained an elevated force posture.
This has involved carrying out regular exercises like Steadfast Noon and conducting a range
of inter-allied naval drills across Europe.
Notably, there have been frequent deployments of U.S. aircraft to Europe and Eastern Europe,
especially following the annexation of Crimea.
These deployments persist to this day and involve joint training exercises with local
air forces.
It is evident that Russia’s all-out war with Ukraine has resulted in uneasiness in
Europe and is one of the key reasons why AD23 has been formulated.
It is interesting to note in this context that some reports indicate that Germany is
likely to increase its defense budget by as much as €10 billion ($10.7 billion) next
year to help fund additional spending needs triggered by Russia’s war on Ukraine.
All in all, it is not hard to see that Western allies are taking the Russian threat more
seriously than ever and making moves that will lead help them counter any eventually
better.