Launch of Ramstein Alloy 22-3 NATO exercise.

On September 26 and 27, Allies Hungary, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Türkije, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as Partner Finland will conduct the third Ramstein Alloy exercise in 2022 with a focus on NATO’s Deter and Defend concept.

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F/A-18 Hornet and two German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons. The training scenarios include tasks such as the identification, escort, and handover of escort duties of an aircraft suffering from communications loss (COMLOSS). In addition, the Ramstein Alloy exercise series provides an opportunity to fly Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) with different types of fighters. (Picture source: Finnish Air Force)

Latvia will host the third sequel of the Allied/Partner live-fly exercise Ramstein Alloy 2022. During the routine two-day event, participating air forces will fly quick reaction alert drills including Communication Loss, Slow Mover Intercept, Dissimilar Air Combat Training, Combat Search and Rescue, Close Air Support and Air-to-Air Refuelling scenarios. One special focus will be on the integration of a Spanish Ground Based Air Defense Task Force into the activities. Spanish NASAMS air defence systems will simulate the defence of Lielvarde Air Base in Latvia against aerial attacks – a skill set that fighter pilots need to practice establishing air superiority during defensive operations, e.g. in an Article 5 situation.

“For the first time we are including both air- and surface-based Integrated Air and Missile Defence activities in our drills,” said exercise planner Squadron Leader Craig Docker from Combined Air Operations Centre Uedem. “This underlines how the Allies are shielding the eastern flank and – at the same time – prepare for meaningful execution of NATO’s Deter and Defence concept in the Baltic region,” he added. “We are also training Air-Land Integration tactics, techniques and procedure with Czech jets and enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup or Latvian Joint Terminal Attack Controllers enhancing our pilots’ and soldiers’ ability to work together in a multinational setting,” he concluded.

Building on many years of cooperating in the Baltic Sea region and strengthening regional security with Allies and Partners, exercise Ramstein Alloy demonstrates cohesion and capability. At the same time, it promotes cooperation by creating strong and reliable structures and relationships. The exercise series integrates more than two dozen fighter and support aircraft and NATO airborne early warning aircraft with NATO and national command and control centres. The realistic drills train Allied forces to deter and – if needed – defend against any aggression.

NATO’s ‘Deter and Defend’ concept increases the level of integration and planning of Allied military activities. It seeks to counter threats by providing a common framework for deterrence and defense in peace, crisis, and war. The concept leverages a deliberate rhythm of military activity across the Alliance and across all operational domains and functional areas. This clear demonstration of Alliance cohesion, capability and resolve seeks to deter challengers from spreading destabilization, widening disorder, or accruing decisive military advantage that would damage Euro-Atlantic security. In essence, the concept shifts NATO’s efforts from reacting to crises to deterring crises.