NATO is conducting large-scale air force training drills across Europe, designed to simulate high-intensity combat scenarios against simulated adversaries.
The drills, organised by NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM), aim to enhance coordination among member states and test critical defence capabilities.
Dubbed Ramstein Flag 25, the drills involve over 90 aircraft and personnel from 15 allied nations. Operations are being coordinated from 12 air bases throughout Europe, with the Dutch base Leeuwarden – located in the northern Netherlands near the Frisian islands – serving as the primary hub.
The training includes complex scenarios such as aerial refuelling and early-warning coordination. These drills are intended to refine the alliance’s ability to respond to potential Article 5 contingencies. Article 5 stipulates that an attack against any one NATO member is considered an attack against all NATO members, meaning that NATO as a collective would defend the attacked territory.
“This [drill] brings together 15 or so NATO nations actually operating from this base [Leeuwarden] and 11 others practicing key highly complex missions which we would have to do to defend Europe in any Article 5 confrontation,” said AIRCOM Deputy Commander Air Marshal Johnny Stringer of the UK Royal Air Force. The drills reinforce both “the credibility and capability that underpin our deterrence posture.”
According to UK Royal Air Force Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Deputy Commander of AIRCOM, around 15 NATO countries are actively taking part in the exercise from Leeuwarden Air Base, with 11 more nations practising complex operations essential for a potential Article 5 defence scenario. He added that the drills strengthen the alliance’s credibility and its ability to deter threats.
The manoeuvres will continue until 11 April.
