News item | 26-03-2025 | 16:17
A crisis phase, but not yet a mandate to attack the enemy. It was a new fact during the largest air defense exercise in Europe. The scenario was based on NATO’s defense plans. For the 700 soldiers and civilians from 15 NATO countries it is over. Held in peacepeel Joint Project Optic Windmill (JPOW) 2025 ended today.
Was it useful to the 10 -day JPOW if if it is not allowed to be attacked? “By moving with your systems, you can make it clear to the enemy that you see what it is doing,” explains the leader of Brigadier General Peter Gielen. “This is how you contribute to the deterrence, which must help prevent war.”
However, the war came in the scenario. In addition, it was processed what happened in Ukraine in recent years. The participants were therefore given air threats from drones to cruise missiles. That is how it still came to action, because it was important to eliminate the projectiles for their goals.
New participants
In addition to air defense units from the different countries, international organizations also participated. So it was Joint Forces Air Command And the headquarters of the German-Dutch army corps of the party. Civil parties also participated, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Zivilschutz. They thought about what should be done in the crisis phase. For example, if, despite the defense, ballistic rockets are in danger of stocking up.
The Sweden and Finns were able to actually link the systems in this edition of JPOW. They were very enthusiastic about the collaboration that JPOW offers for defense of the alliance. Gielen agreed and stated ‘on track‘To be with the international air defense community. “If we look at how the scenario responded, we can determine that we were already well on our way at previous editions.”
He immediately added that this is a simulated exercise. “Virtually we have endless ammunition and systems. But strengthening those capacities is needed to really get NATO’s integrated air defense in order.”