Sweden Participates in NATO's Largest Air Force Exercise Ever

Yesterday, on 12 June, the Air Force exercise Air Defender 23, led by Germany, commenced with over 10,000 participants and 250 fighter aircraft from 25 countries, including Sweden and Japan. Sweden is participating with Jas 39 Gripen from the F 17 Wing in Ronneby. The USA is contributing 100 aircraft from its Air Force and National Guard.

The exercise is set to continue for twelve days and is organised by Germany. According to the New York Times, planning has been underway since 2018 and is led by the German Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz. He states that the Russian annexation of the Crimean Peninsula inspired the idea. One of the goals of the exercise is to assess how well so many aircraft from various countries communicate with each other.

Most of the aircraft are operating from five air bases across Germany. In an interview with Sveriges Radio, Swedish division commander Martin stated that the Swedish aircraft will depart from the Blekinge Wing F 17 and fly to Germany to participate in the exercises. According to the American military magazine Stars and Stripes, published by the Pentagon, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft are being sent from National Guard units in six different states.

The Air Force exercise is the largest in NATO's history. According to Deutsche Welle, combat missions and other elements will be practised, including ground troop support, air combat, and intercepting and combating medium-range missiles. Additionally, one of the elements will be evacuation from airfields, which was added following the debacle in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2021.