‘Largest NATO drill in Germany shows commitment to Eastern flank security’

By Mustafa Deveci

ANKARA (AA) – The recent NATO air exercise in Germany, the largest deployment in its history, aims to provide security assurance to Eastern flank countries and send a message to Russia, experts said.

Analysts emphasized the exercise demonstrates the bloc's readiness level, collective defense principle, and solidarity among NATO member countries, particularly addressing the tensions in the Baltic Sea region.

The Air Defender 2023 exercise, involving over 250 aircraft and 10,000 military personnel from 25 nations, serves as a political message and a show of support from NATO, as well as a message of deterrence to Russia, Murat Aslan, an academic at Hasan Kalyoncu University said.

NATO allies are conducting air combat exercises in Germany, responding to a simulated military attack by OCCASUS – a fictitious eastern alliance. The German Air Force is leading the command, and coordinating the air operations.

The US has sent over 100 aircraft and 2,000 military personnel to Germany for the exercise.

NATO plans its exercises in advance but reviews these plans under extraordinary circumstances, Aslan said, pointing out that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has prompted the alliance to reassess its priorities.

The countries on NATO's Eastern flank are concerned about Russian posture, and taking additional measures within NATO, he said, adding the exercise is organized as an extension of previous measures to instill confidence in the Eastern flank countries.

Ukraine’s strong supporters, the Eastern flank countries include Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

- Message of deterrence to Russia

The exercise serves as a political message of solidarity and support from NATO member countries, Aslan said, adding if tension arises, NATO can deploy the necessary air and ground forces.

The drill aims to address the ongoing air tensions in the Baltic Sea region and send a message of deterrence to Russia.

Speaking about Türkiye's participation in the drill, he said it demonstrates Ankara's commitment to NATO's values and agreements, and it dispels any doubts about its allegiance, he said.

With a new foreign policy approach, Türkiye aims to balance cooperation with China and Russia while maintaining its security ties with NATO, he said.

Meanwhile, the exercise, recognized as NATO's most extensive air drill to date, has resulted in temporary adjustments to civilian aviation routes in Europe, said Can Kasapoglu, the director of the Security and Defense Research Program at the Istanbul-based think-tank EDAM.

Besides military significance, the exercise holds a notable political aspect, aligning with Article 5 of the NATO Treaty and featuring a scenario related to collective defense, Kasapoglu added.

NATO is conducting a multinational military exercise in Germany to showcase its air power ahead of the upcoming Vilnius summit, he said, adding Ankara's active participation in the exercise highlights its strong commitment to the alliance.