(new: BDL branch association statement, 1st paragraph.)
BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – The largest air force exercise in the history of NATO initially led to disruptions to civilian air traffic in Germany. The aviation industry reported on Monday evening that the effects of “Air Defender 2023” were “still within limits”. Hamburg was the only major airport in Germany to report significant delays. The industry association BDL also referred to the “comparatively low level of military flight operations” on the day the exercise started. “We assume that the disruptions to civil air traffic will increase over the next few days, especially with delays in the evening hours,” explained Managing Director Matthias von Randow.
The armed forces rated the start as a success. Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz emphasized that the exercise serves to strengthen NATO and is not intended to provoke anyone: “This exercise is not intended as a signal against anyone,” he said, also referring to Russia. “It is a signal to us (…) that we are able to defend this country and this alliance.”
Transport machine A400M starts the manoeuvre
250 aircraft – including 190 fighter jets – and almost 10,000 soldiers from 25 countries are taking part in the exercise, which lasts until June 23. At around 8 a.m. on Monday morning, a Bundeswehr transport aircraft of the type A400M took off from the Wunstorf air base in Lower Saxony and thus heralded the maneuver. A short time later, the first US fighter jet took off from Hohn Air Base in Schleswig-Holstein.
NATO member states in particular are taking part in the maneuvers under German leadership, but also Japan and the NATO accession candidate Sweden. 200 flights are planned for each of the ten maneuver days, a total of around 2000. There will be a break at the weekend.
Simulation of an attack on the port of Rostock
Planning for the maneuver began as early as 2018 – i.e. after the Russian annexation of Crimea, but well before Russia’s war of aggression against the entire Ukraine. The defense of Germany against the attack of a fictitious eastern alliance is practiced. The so-called OCCASUS alliance is trying to take possession of the Rostock port, using sabotage actions and special forces that are supported from the air.
A few days ago, when presenting the exercise, US Ambassador Amy Gutmann made it clear that she hoped it would also have an impact on the outside world. “I would be very surprised if any world leader didn’t take note of what this (the maneuver) shows in terms of the spirit of this alliance, that is, the strength of this alliance. And that includes Mr. Putin,” said she.
“We will not take any flights towards Kaliningrad”
On Monday, Gerhartz tried to counteract the impression that this was saber-rattling in the direction of Russia. “We’re doing everything we can to ensure that it doesn’t escalate,” said the lieutenant general on RBB’s info radio. As an example, he added: “We will not make any flights towards Kaliningrad.” Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave between Lithuania and Poland on the Baltic Sea, just over 500 kilometers as the crow flies from Berlin.
The Defense Commissioner of the German Bundestag, Eva Högl, sees “Air Defender” as a message to Moscow. Russia’s attack on Ukraine shows how important the maneuver is, she said at Wunstdorf Air Base, where she watched the start of the maneuver with Gerhartz. “Of course it’s a massive presence. It’s also important to send a clear signal to Russia, but it should also be balanced and differentiated.”
Most airports give the all-clear – except for one
Before the exercise, the question of whether this would create chaos in the sky over Germany was hotly debated. Most airports gave the all-clear on Monday. There was only one exception until the afternoon: Hamburg Airport announced that parts of German airspace would be blocked again and again. “For this reason, there are already numerous delays today.” The airport asked all passengers who have booked a flight from Hamburg Airport for the period of the exercise or want to land in the Hanseatic city to continuously monitor their flight status.
The other major airports in Germany reported largely normal air traffic until the afternoon. A spokesman for the GdF air traffic control union warned, however, that it was still too early to take stock. It remains to be seen how many delays and cancellations there will be in the coming days and how many machines will not make it to the airports in time before night flights are banned. There are “massive restrictions” for civil aviation because there are hours of air traffic closures in the three exercise zones over Germany./mfi/DP/men
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