NATO will hold the largest airlift exercise to be held since its establishment in Germany and Eastern Europe. More than 10 thousand airmen and more than 250 warplanes, including Turkish F-16s, are planned to participate in the Air Defender 2023 exercise on 12-23 June.
For the exercise, approximately 110 aircraft from the US Air Force will come to Europe from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, 80 aircraft from NATO countries in Europe and 60 aircraft from international partners are expected to take part in the exercise. It is stated that an average of 250 sorties will be made per day during the exercise.
In addition, aviators from 25 countries will take part in the exercise with more than 20 types of aircraft. These include aircraft types such as F-35s, Eurofighter, F-18, F-16, A-10, Gripen.
The aim of the exercise, hosted by the German Air Force, is to keep the alliance’s air defense strong, to send a message that strong deterrence in the air is maintained and to consolidate the harmony of the two sides of the Atlantic.
In the Eastern Europe part of the exercise, NATO’s AWACS airborne early warning and warning aircraft will perform duties, as well as the mission flights of the aircraft of the allied countries in this region. AWACS aircraft will also make daily flights over the eastern flank of the alliance.
Almost all of the German Air Force airbases across Germany will be in use during the exercise.
3 F-16 AIRCRAFT FROM TURKEY ARRIVED TO GERMANY
Three F-16s were sent from Turkey to the exercise. In the written statement made by the Ministry of National Defense, “3 F-16 aircraft belonging to our 151st Fleet Command, which will participate in the Air Defender 23 Exercise to be held in Germany between 12-23 June 2023, will take off from Merzifon and take off from Schleswig Air Base/ reached Germany.” it was said.
Due to the exercise in mid-June, special zones airspaces were determined in the south, north and east of Germany. Military flights over Germany, one of the busiest regions in Europe in terms of civilian flights, are expected to affect some of the civilian flights.
It is stated that the route of many civilian flights over European airspace will be changed due to the exercise. (AA-DHA)
