2023-06-12 14:23:49
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) began this Monday in Germany the largest aerial military exercise in the history of the alliance with the aim of demonstrating the capabilities of the units that make up the bloc in the midst of a context nuanced by the escalation of tensions with Russia.
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According to the declarations of the lieutenant general of the German air force, Ingo Gerhartz, the military exercise called “Air Defender 23” will take place until June 23.
The maneuvers, which are carried out in German airspace, have 250 military aircraft from 25 NATO countries, as well as allies such as Japan and Sweden, while some 10,000 troops participate.
Germany ���� kicks off largest multinational air force deployment in #NATO history
10,000 personnel and more than 250 aircraft from Allied and Partner nations will participate in collective defence training exercise #AirDefender23#AD23
Find out more: https://t.co/hNH1skvVdj pic.twitter.com/7kRnyNGmU4
— NATO (@NATO)
June 12, 2023
According to the military sources, the exercise seeks to strengthen the cooperation of the allied air forces and the preparation against drones and cruise missiles as part of the defense of cities, airports or ports.
In this sense, Gerhartz affirmed that it is hoped to make it clear that “we can defend ourselves” while he emphasized that NATO constitutes “a defensive alliance and that is how this exercise was planned.”
“We will do everything possible so that an escalation does not occur. We will not undertake flights to Kaliningrad,” said the lieutenant general, referring to the Russian city on the border with Poland and Lithuania.
For her part, the US ambassador to Germany, Amy Gutmann, said that world leaders should take note of what these exercises represent, meanwhile, she added that “that includes Mr. Putin.”
“Air Defender” was conceived in 2018 as a NATO response to the situation in Crimea in 2014. Currently, they take on special importance in the midst of the Ukrainian conflict and the request to join the alliance by Finland and Sweden.
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