Jakarta, IO – Late in June, NATO concluded its largest-ever air military exercise, Air Defender 2023, signaling significant developments within the organization and in international security. This exercise showcased the growing importance of the allied air forces as the first line of defense and highlighted NATO’s concern for the cooperative combat ability among its member states. The participation of 25 nations, including NATO members, prospective members like Sweden, and even Japan from East Asia, demonstrates the wide-ranging global engagement of the exercise.
Air Defender 2023 encompassed over 10,000 troops and more than 250 military aircraft of various types, covering almost all categories of air force aircraft. While the exercises primarily focused on airspace in Germany, the North Sea, and the Baltic Sea, the specially designed air corridors linked this exercise with two other NATO military exercises in Estonia and Romania. This extensive geographical coverage enabled NATO to simulate and address potential conflicts across Europe, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea, highlighting the organization’s commitment to collective defense.
The exercise had specific objectives, including testing the ability of NATO member air forces to fulfill Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which emphasizes the collective defense of territorial airspace. By simulating scenarios where a hypothetical enemy seized the Klebius region of eastern Germany, NATO countries honed their skills in responding swiftly and effectively to such threats. The daily drill missions, encompassing aerial combat, coordinated movements between different countries and aircraft types, air support for ground strikes and rescue operations, served as vital components of the exercise.
From an international relations perspective, the Air Defender 2023 exercise reflects notable shifts in NATO’s internal and external dynamics. The decision to entrust Germany’s military command with the coordination of the exercise underscores Germany’s increasing influence within NATO and European security affairs. With its strong national strength and proactive defense initiatives, Germany has become a key player in shaping Western military architecture, a development that aligns with the strategic interests of the United States. The escalation of local conflicts in Europe in 2022 has further strengthened American control over European security, enhancing its position within the alliance.
Additionally, the participation of Japan, the only non-Euro-Atlantic country in the exercise, raises important questions. While Japan’s involvement was relatively small in scale, it reveals the country’s ambitions to expand its role in international security matters. NATO’s discussions regarding the opening of a liaison office in Japan reflect an eagerness to strengthen ties with East Asia. However, this move has faced objections from member countries like France, as it potentially blurs the lines between European and East Asian security affairs. Japan’s participation in the exercise can be interpreted as an attempt to exert influence over European security matters, highlighting potentially negative consequences for international security.
In conclusion, Air Defender 2023 was a significant milestone for NATO, emphasizing the crucial role of air forces in collective defense. The exercise showcased NATO’s global engagement and demonstrated the evolving dynamics within the organization. Germany’s increasing prominence within NATO, the involvement of non-Euro-Atlantic countries like Japan, and the wider geopolitical implications of the exercise all underscore the complex nature of international relations in the realm of security and defense.
Raihan Ronodipuro is a Master’s Degree student in the School of Public Policy & Management at Tsinghua University, China. Previously, he was awarded the Chinese MOFCOM Scholarship and earned a Master of Law in International Relations from the School of International and Public Affairs at Jilin University in China. He serves as an Associate Researcher in the Department of Politics and Security at the Center for Indonesia-China Studies (CICS). He is presently a member of the International Relations Commission at the Directorate of Research and Studies for the Overseas Indonesian Students’ Association Alliance (OISAA) 2022/2023.