AIR DEFENDER 23 — NATO’S LARGEST AIR FORCE EXERCISE

By Dino van Doorn| GMAP.nl Team | June 2023

From 12 to 23 June 2023, the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) hosted Air Defender 23, the largest multinational air exercise ever conducted in NATO’s history. With 250 aircraft, 10,000 personnel, and 25 participating nations, the exercise showcased an unprecedented level of cooperation, readiness, and operational capability across the alliance.

Designed to strengthen interoperability and demonstrate collective defense capability, Air Defender 23 simulated high-intensity air operations across multiple regions of German airspace—marking a milestone for modern air power in Europe.

Participating Nations & Aircraft

The scale of Air Defender 23 was exceptional. Air forces from across Europe and North America deployed a wide variety of aircraft, including:

F-35, F-16, F/A-18, A-10’s, Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon fighters
A400M, C-130, and C-17 transport aircraft
Air-to-air refueling platforms such as the A330 MRTT and KC-135
Intelligence, surveillance, and command & control assets
Helicopters and supporting mission aircraft

The United States delivered one of the largest national contributions, with dozens of jet fighters flown in specifically for the exercise. Germany acted as the logistical and operational hub, hosting the majority of participating forces at multiple air bases including Jagel, Lechfeld, Spangdahlem, and Wunstorf.

Training Objectives

Air Defender 23 focused on a wide range of operational scenarios relevant to modern air warfare:

Large-scale air defense operations

Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) coordination

Complex air-to-air and air-to-ground missions

Air mobility and air-to-air refueling operations

Joint planning and interoperability across NATO partners

The goal was to test and refine NATO’s ability to respond to a crisis quickly and effectively—integrating forces from multiple nations into a coherent, unified air campaign.

Strategic Importance

Air Defender 23 was more than a routine training event. With security tensions in Europe at their highest point in decades, the exercise served as a clear message that NATO airpower remains highly capable and adaptable.

Operational Readiness on an Unprecedented Scale

Coordinating 250 aircraft across three large training sectors in Germany required precise planning, seamless communication, and flexible execution.
Pilots, planners, and ground crews from 25 nations trained side-by-side—improving standardized procedures and strengthening mutual trust.

Germany managed complex airspace coordination to limit disruption to civilian aviation while enabling high-intensity military operations.

AIR DEFENDER 23 — NATO’S LARGEST AIR FORCE EXERCISE

By Dino van Doorn| GMAP.nl Team | June 2023

Participating Nations & Aircraft

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Training Objectives

Strategic Importance

Operational Readiness on an Unprecedented Scale

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