A look at the Defence news 11 – 17 March
Military personnel train for possible responses to attack against NATO member state, as Russia watches on
During the international military exercise Nordic Response, which took place last week, the main focus was on conducting training regarding the possible NATO responses to an attack against one of its member states.
The commander of the Netherlands Maritime Force, Commodore Arjen Warnaar, said that it is important to conduct training on the northern flank of NATO territory and that the fact that Russia is following the training activities closely made him realise how important NATO’s presence is in that area. Russia is monitoring the large-scale exercise from the air and from spy ships at sea.
Nordic Response is part of Exercise Steadfast Defender, the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War.
Dutch F-35s shine during ‘true to life’ Exercise Red Flag
The air force exercise known as Exercise Red Flag is considered to be the premier league of air defence exercises. On this occasion, Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 fighter aircraft took part in the exercise for the first time. The Dutch F-35s are stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, together with American aircraft. The 2-week training exercise, known to be realistic and true to life, will last until 22 March.