With the “Air Defender 2023” maneuver, the German Air Force wants to show strength together with the NATO partners involved, but avoid an escalation towards Russia. “We are doing everything we can to make sure it doesn’t get worse,” German Air Force inspector Ingo Gerhartz told RBB’s Inforadio on Monday. The “Air Defender 2023” maneuver, which begins on Monday, is the largest air force exercise in NATO history.
Until June 23, 25 nations and NATO will participate in the exercise under German leadership. According to the Bundeswehr, around 10,000 troops and 250 aircraft are involved. “This is the sign that we’ve shown ourselves how quickly we can act,” Gerhartz said. “The fact that it is now clear also at a very special time with a view to the war in Ukraine – I mean, that is also obvious.”
Many people, including people close to him, told him: “It’s good that we show that we are strong, that we can defend ourselves, to send a very clear signal: NATO territory is simply the red line.” In order not to provoke Russia, he gave an example: “We will not fly in the direction of Kaliningrad.”
The inspector does not expect major restrictions on civil air traffic. “Of course, we’ve been working closely with German air traffic control for months,” Gerhartz said. You have introduced many measures, including extending the opening hours of airfields. That is why he hopes “that there will be no major restrictions – for example, that there will be no flight cancellations”. He emphasized: “We only practice in the airspaces where we are active… (…) It is completely clear that the intensity will obviously be higher, but no civil airfield is closed.” The GdF air traffic controllers union fears massive effects on the course of civil aviation.
Before the start of the international maneuver, hundreds of people demonstrated in front of Wunstorf air base on Saturday. The Air Force inspector was sympathetic to the protests against the exercise. “I absolutely agree that it’s good for people to express their opinions too. (…) We also offer any kind of conversation, ”he said.