Air Defender 23
![Karte_Air_Defender_23.svg.png][float-right] Air Defender 23 was a German-led multinational air force deployment exercise conducted by NATO from 12 to 23 June 2023, recognized as the largest of its kind in the alliance's history, involving around 10,000 personnel and more than 250 aircraft from 25 nations across European airspace.[1][2] The exercise focused on operational and tactical-level live-flying training to enhance NATO's collective air defense capabilities, emphasizing interoperability among allied forces in scenarios simulating crisis response and air power coordination.[3][4] Hosted primarily in Germany with forward operating locations in neighboring countries, it demonstrated transatlantic solidarity through substantial U.S. contributions, including approximately 100 aircraft from the Air National Guard, and underscored the alliance's readiness to deploy and sustain large-scale air operations amid heightened geopolitical tensions.[1][5] Key achievements included seamless multinational integration of diverse aircraft types for defensive and offensive maneuvers, validation of command-and-control systems, and bolstered deterrence signaling without reported major incidents, affirming NATO's ability to rapidly surge air assets for collective defense.[6][7]Background and Objectives
Historical Context
NATO's integrated air and missile defense framework originated during the Cold War era, when the Alliance maintained a robust Defensive Counter Air (DCA) system comprising surface-based air and missile defense units alongside fighter aircraft to counter potential Soviet aerial threats.[8] Large-scale exercises, such as the annual REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) drills from 1969 to 1993, tested rapid transatlantic reinforcement, involving massive airlifts of U.S. troops and equipment to European bases to simulate repelling Warsaw Pact invasions.[9] These operations underscored NATO's emphasis on interoperability and collective defense under Article 5, with air power playing a central role in achieving air superiority and supporting ground forces. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to a reconfiguration of NATO's posture, including the dismantling of the forward DCA belt and a reduction in high-intensity reinforcement exercises, as strategic priorities shifted toward out-of-area operations and peacekeeping.[8] This period saw fewer multinational air deployments, with exercises focusing more on coalition interoperability in non-Article 5 scenarios, such as those in the Balkans during the 1990s. Russia's 2008 invasion of Georgia and 2014 annexation of Crimea reversed this trend, prompting NATO's 2014 Wales Summit to recommit to credible deterrence through enhanced exercises like Trident Juncture 2015 and 2018, which practiced rapid response forces and included significant air components to address hybrid threats from the east. Air Defender 23 built directly on these developments as a Bundeswehr-initiated deployment exercise, with planning commencing in 2018 to address gaps in multinational air reinforcement amid resurgent Russian assertiveness.[2] Though conceived prior to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the exercise aligned with NATO's post-invasion Madrid Summit commitments in June 2022 to bolster high-end warfighting readiness, emphasizing the rapid surge of U.S. and Allied aircraft to European theaters for air defense against peer adversaries.[1] This German-led effort, involving 25 nations and over 250 aircraft, marked the largest such air operation since NATO's founding in 1949, prioritizing tactical interoperability in a contested airspace scenario akin to Article 5 invocation.[2]Strategic Objectives
The strategic objectives of Air Defender 23 centered on demonstrating NATO's unified air power and deterrence posture in response to heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Hosted by the German Air Force from June 12 to 23, 2023, the exercise sought to showcase the Alliance's ability to rapidly deploy and sustain large-scale air operations across European airspace, involving approximately 250 aircraft and over 10,000 personnel from 25 nations.[1] [7] This demonstration aimed to reassure Allies and signal to potential adversaries NATO's commitment to defending every inch of Allied territory through credible collective defense mechanisms.[1] [5] A core aim was to enhance interoperability and cohesion among transatlantic and European air forces by optimizing procedures for joint air operations, including defensive scenarios against simulated aerial threats and offensive support to ground forces.[7] [5] The exercise emphasized training in complex environments, such as high-density airspace management and cross-border coordination, to build readiness for real-world contingencies without disrupting civil aviation significantly.[10] This focus addressed gaps in multinational air power integration, prioritizing tactical synchronization over unilateral capabilities to strengthen NATO's overall defensive architecture.[11] Additionally, Air Defender 23 served to validate logistical and command structures for rapid reinforcement from North America to Europe, underscoring the strategic value of U.S. mobility assets in sustaining Allied operations.[12] By simulating peer-level conflicts, the exercise tested deterrence through visible force projection, aiming to deter aggression by exhibiting NATO's capacity for swift, scalable response while fostering long-term partnerships beyond traditional members.[13] [5]Organization and Planning
Leadership Structure
Air Defender 23 was directed by Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, who served as Chief of Staff of the German Air Force and oversaw the exercise's execution.[1] The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) held primary leadership responsibility, initiating the concept in 2018 during a visit by its commander to the United States and coordinating planning over nearly two years.[7] This structure underscored Germany's role in demonstrating its capacity to command and control multinational air operations from its territory, integrating forces from 25 nations.[14] Command and control were centralized at the German Air Operations Headquarters in Kalkar/Uedem, functioning as the primary Air Command and Control Centre for mission planning, tasking, and coordination across participating air forces.[7] NATO elements augmented this framework, including Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft providing airborne surveillance, radar, and command capabilities, as well as the Deployable NATO Tactical Air Command and Control Centre (DARS) deployed to support tactical operations in Germany.[7][15] The multinational nature required interoperability protocols under German direction, with national contingents retaining operational input through liaison officers at the headquarters.[2] Key supporting roles included contributions from allied leaders, such as U.S. Air National Guard Director Lieutenant General Michael A. Loh, who addressed participating U.S. personnel and emphasized transatlantic integration but operated under the overarching German command.[16] This hierarchy prioritized unified NATO air defense readiness while testing host-nation lead in large-scale deployments.[3]Planning Process and Timeline
The planning for Air Defender 23 originated in 2018 when Germany, through its Luftwaffe leadership under Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, agreed to host a multinational air exercise as part of NATO's broader training framework, initially conceptualized as the Multinational Air Group Exercise (MAGEX) for 2023.[17][5] This initiative drew inspiration from the U.S.-led Defender Europe 20 exercise, aiming to enhance rapid deployment and interoperability, with Gerhartz coordinating early buy-in from U.S. Air National Guard leadership, including Lieutenant General Michael A. Loh.[17][18] Initial detailed planning commenced in 2019 at the German Air Force Troop Command, developing a core concept for up to 50 aircraft focused on collective defense scenarios under NATO Article 5.[17] By 2020, the MAGEX framework received formal approval from Gerhartz, expanding scope to incorporate larger-scale operations.[17] In 2021, the exercise evolved into Air Defender 23 to accommodate greater participation, including up to 220 aircraft; Lieutenant General Günter Katz assumed leadership in December, overseeing multinational integration.[17] The process accelerated with structured conferences: the Initial Planning Conference in July 2022 involved 220 participants to outline logistics and participation; the Main Planning Conference in December 2022, with 450 attendees, finalized airspace usage, participating nations, and force allocations; and the Final Coordination Conference in April 2023, attended by over 400, addressed tactical details and contingencies.[17] Overall preparation spanned approximately four to five years, emphasizing coordination among NATO allies, partners like Japan and Sweden, and U.S. contributions of up to 100 aircraft, to simulate high-intensity air defense in European airspace.[17][18]Participating Nations
NATO Member States
The NATO member states that participated in Air Defender 23 included Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[2] Germany, as the host nation, led the exercise and provided key basing infrastructure across 12 airfields, coordinating integration of allied assets into its airspace.[2] [5] The United States contributed approximately 100 aircraft, primarily from the Air National Guard, representing the largest single-nation deployment and emphasizing transatlantic reinforcement capabilities.[19] [2] Other NATO participants deployed fighter jets, transport aircraft, and support elements for scenarios involving air defense, interception, and logistics sustainment, with collective contributions totaling over 150 allied aircraft alongside U.S. forces.[13] [2] Finland, having acceded to NATO in April 2023, marked its inaugural major exercise participation with F/A-18 Hornets, enhancing Baltic Sea regional interoperability.[2] Nations such as Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) focused on rapid response elements, reflecting heightened eastern flank deterrence priorities amid ongoing regional tensions.[1] The exercise underscored varying national capacities, with smaller members like Slovenia and Luxembourg providing niche support such as personnel or limited air assets, while larger contributors like France and the UK deployed advanced multirole fighters for complex mission profiles.[2]Partner Countries
Japan and Sweden participated in Air Defender 23 as non-NATO partner nations, contributing to the exercise's multinational framework alongside NATO members to enhance collective air defense capabilities.[20][21] Japan's involvement marked its first deployment of aircraft to a major European NATO-led exercise, underscoring transatlantic and Indo-Pacific interoperability amid heightened regional tensions.[22] The Japan Air Self-Defense Force deployed one Kawasaki C-2 transport aircraft, which supported deployment, logistics, and airlift operations during the June 12–23 period.[22][20] Sweden, then an aspiring NATO member, joined to align its forces with alliance procedures and demonstrate commitment to European security integration ahead of its formal accession in 2024.[11][23] Swedish personnel and assets participated in joint air operations training, focusing on scenarios involving rapid reinforcement and airspace defense, though specific aircraft deployments were not publicly detailed in official releases.[21] This participation allowed Sweden to build practical experience in NATO-standard procedures, contributing to the exercise's goal of strengthening deterrence against potential aggression.[11] No other non-NATO countries were reported as active partners.[23]Deployed Forces
Aircraft and Equipment
Air Defender 23 featured approximately 250 aircraft across 23 distinct types, drawn from 25 nations, emphasizing interoperability in air defense scenarios.[2][1] Of these, roughly 100 originated from the U.S. Air National Guard across 42 states, with about 60 from the German Luftwaffe and another 60 from other European partners.[7] The fleet encompassed multirole fighters, close air support platforms, aerial refueling tankers, strategic transports, and command-and-control assets, enabling training in collective defense under NATO Article 5 conditions.[2] Multirole fighters dominated the combat element, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II from the United States and Netherlands, Boeing F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons from U.S. units, and Eurofighter Typhoons primarily from Germany and allies.[7][24] Additional fighter types included McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets, Saab JAS 39 Gripens from partner nations, and Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt IIs for close air support.[7][25] Ground-attack and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) roles were supported by Panavia Tornado ECR variants from Germany, equipped for electronic combat reconnaissance.[13] Aerial refueling and transport capabilities were critical for sustained operations, with Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-46 Pegasus from U.S. forces, alongside Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tankers from European contributors.[18][13] Strategic airlift included Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs, and Airbus A400M Atlases, the latter prominently featuring German aircraft with exercise-specific markings.[12][2] Airborne early warning and control were provided by Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS under NATO operation, facilitating real-time airspace management.[15][24] Ground-based equipment complemented the air assets, including NATO's Deployable Air Operations Centre (DAOC) systems for command and control, integrated with German Air Operations Centers at Uedem and Kalkar.[7] Radar and electronic warfare support drew from national contributions, though specifics on non-aircraft materiel remained limited to enhance operational security during the exercise.[2]| Aircraft Role | Examples | Primary Contributors |
|---|---|---|
| Multirole Fighters | F-35, F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon | U.S., Netherlands, Germany |
| Ground Attack/SEAD | A-10, Tornado ECR, F/A-18 | U.S., Germany |
| Tankers | KC-135, KC-46, A330 MRTT | U.S., European partners |
| Transports | C-130, C-17, A400M | U.S., Germany, Japan |
| AWACS/C2 | E-3 Sentry | NATO |