Germany to host largest ever NATO Air Force exercise in June

NATO has decided to threaten Russia with a military exercise called Air Defender 23 amid the Ukrainian conflict, according to the Bild newspaper, the manoeuvres were conceived in 2018, but they were not put into practice until after the start of Russia's special operation.

"The Bundeswehr is preparing for the largest NATO air exercise in history. <...> Undoubtedly, this event will send a signal to Russia and President Vladimir Putin," the publication stresses.

The publication quoted German Air Force Chief of Staff Ingo Gerhartz as saying that one of the challenges is to show how quickly NATO can react "if the worst happens".

Air Defender 23 will take place in Germany from 12 to 23 June, involving several thousand soldiers from Europe and the United States.

Earlier it was reported that the Georgian Ministry of Defence refused to participate in the military exercise Air Defender 23. According to him, Georgia has participated in four international exercises this year in partnership with NATO member states. By the end of the year, the Georgian military will show itself in several more such maneuvers.