RAF and Nato allies play out an Article 5 scenario on major exercise

Never before have so many countries' planes left home bases for one Nato exercise, one of the biggest for decades.

As fighting continues in Ukraine, the German-led multinational air exercise, Air Defender 23 - which features four RAF Typhoons - has been playing out a Nato Article 5 scenario.

Under Article 5 "the parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all".

#forcesnews #nato #exerciseairdefender #raf #royalairforce

[Walterwaltraud]

"The German airspace is a little bit smaller and a little bit more congested" is the most diplomatic understatement I've heard in such contexts, ever. Germany is half the size of Texas with a population of about 82 mio folks, decentralized as hell and though we were used to this in up to the end of the Warsaw Pact, deconfliction would be a nightmare if not for the professionalism of military crews.

[gaius_enceladus]

Thanks, Putin, for helping to get NATO up and running as it should be!
The extra members are great too!

[txiicliberator]

only 4 of our fighters joined? that's very disappointing

[Fester_]

"Does anybody fancy going to Europe for the summer ??" asks the Colonel

[hansstofberg]

Great job we have to be ready . Make sure a proper defence and attack plan is in place. And all because of the Russian aggression ❤ stay allert and save.

[markbooth]

We have sent 4 Typhoons, oh wow (sarcasm). When I served in the 1980's we had squadrons of Harriers, Jaguars, etc based at Bruggen, Laarbruch, Gutersloh. Now we send just 4 aircraft, we have become a mere shadow of what we once were. It is 1938 all over again. Years of cuts and then cuts on the cuts, until we are down to bare bones.

[reidakted]

This is the Eurofighter. It fights Euros.

[GibbonsTake]

What is the difference between a deployment exercise and a regular exercise?

[perryedwards]

Pip Pip! God bless guys n gals!! All the best!

[bobbates]

What if anything did Canada manage to send ?

[philby]

Keyboard warriors seem to be out in force today. Shame, as there are thousands of dedicated people here, away from their homes and families, all honing their skills and risking their own lives (this training has its own risks) so that if the worst should come to pass. they can more effectively protect us all. Something to think about when you're at home playing with your phone.

[YouTubeGlobalAdminstrator]

Also signal to China to not invade the democratic country of Taiwan. 🇹🇼

[derf]

While the UK plays games, it serving members are leaving in vast If you saw the numbers today compared to 20/30 years ago you'd be shocked.

[AW-Services]

Saw the us doomsday plane leaving German airspace

[ENGBriseB]

I'm sure you know you're right from left.

[raimobrunning]

Time to step in Ukraine. After 9 years 🇺🇦🇪🇺

[Jimmythefish]

Oooo we sent 4 Typhoons, what an embarrassment. Talk about a token gesture, we might as well not have bothered.

[nyshkominternational]

This is just a little dress rehearsal, for the day when the ruschist criminal state is eliminated forever. The sooner the better

[VanderlyndenJengold]

The German's still have Tornado, Italy and the Saudi's still do yet the UK retired their remaining ones in 2019. Imagine if they still operated them alongside the newer aircraft. The RAF would be sizeable.

[righteousbyfaithinChrist]

Russias stubborn and dangerous moves have been a catalyst for many of us...the practical applications due to Russian aggressive behavior. Better to be safe than sorry...