The “Air Defender 23” NATO exercise amplifies war risk with Russia

Today, Monday, June 12, NATO has initiated its “Air Defender 2023” exercise over Germany. Reportedly, this drill, part of the broader “Defender Europe 2023” maneuver, is NATO’s most extensive air forces deployment exercise since its inception.

Approximately 10,000 soldiers from 25 nations equipped with 250 aircraft are expected to participate in ten days of combined air operations training.

Now in its fourth year, “Defender Europe” is a multinational and multiphase series of exercises designed to maintain and intensify the current level of militarization in Europe.

However, Germany leading this year’s air force exercise is a new development. Traditionally, Germany’s role was primarily to offer its ports, airports, and military training areas as a logistical hub due to its strategic European location.

Under the “Air Defender 23” scenario, based on an Article 5 mutual assistance situation, Germany will play the role of a defensive hub within Europe.

Participating nations aim to hone their collective air force responses in crisis situations, enhance collaboration, and project the alliance’s strength.

While it’s clear that demonstrating combat readiness to Russia is an objective, the Informationsstelle Militarisierung (IMI) contends that Air Defender 23 fundamentally serves to prepare “for a NATO war with Russia in Europe.”

Despite Russia not being explicitly named in the official documents concerning Air Defender 2023, high-ranking military officers have made it clear who the exercise targets.

The IMI also points out that Russia did not receive an official notification about Air Defender from NATO, deviating from the usual practice of informing each other about large-scale drills.

Consequently, as is customary, no invitations were extended to Russian military observers.

IMI warns that abandoning these communication measures amid the current military confrontation in Ukraine is perilous.

NATO openly acknowledges the primary targets of the Air Defender and Defender Europe exercises.

The alliance likens these exercises to the “Reforger” maneuvers conducted in Europe from 1969 to 1993, which were meant to demonstrate NATO’s rapid deployment capacity in the event of a potential war with the Eastern Bloc.

It’s important to highlight that even during transportation maneuvers, troops are not merely aimlessly moved but can be concentrated in strategic areas.

As such, NATO is currently focused on fortifying its eastern flank, viewing Russia as a likely adversary.

Past exercises have taken place near Russia’s strategically crucial enclave of Kaliningrad, indicating NATO’s view of it as a major challenge.

The objective was reportedly for NATO forces to seize territory from an “aggressor country” and maintain control until additional alliance troops arrived.

The emphasis of the subsequent major exercise was not on Russia’s northwestern flank but its southwestern flank, involving southeastern Europe and the Black Sea. This explains the significant involvement of Ukraine and Georgia.

Returning to this year’s principal NATO exercise, it’s concerning that over 30 years after the end of the Cold War, the alliance is reviving large-scale maneuvers reminiscent of late 1980s confrontations.

Moreover, the decision to conduct the alliance’s largest deployment exercise amidst a volatile security situation in Europe is reckless and threatens global security.

In light of this, the German Peace Society – United Opponents of War (DFG-VK) warns that the danger of a direct war between Russia and NATO is alarmingly high, as any misunderstanding or accidental press of a button could escalate into a full-blown conflict.

The group draws parallels to the 1983 NATO exercise ‘Able Archer’, which nearly ignited a nuclear war.