German Air Force plans major Asia-Pacific exercise with France, Spain for 2024

The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) is planning a significant exercise tour through the Asia-Pacific region in 2024, involving aircraft from France and Spain, as part of the tri-national Future Combat Air System.

The deployment, scheduled for next summer, will be accompanied by at least one German navy ship and is aimed at contributing to the stabilization of the economically important region as China expands its influence, Defense News reported.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the alignment of interests between Germany and the Asia-Pacific region, stating, "We are coming to stay".

The German government sees engagement in the Asia-Pacific region as a means of supporting stability and potentially alleviating the need for the United States to become directly involved, allowing U.S. forces to focus on European concerns.

The upcoming deployment is expected to be much larger than the Luftwaffe's initial foray into the region in 2022, with a variety of aircraft participating in training activities and showcasing the capabilities of the Future Combat Air System. The original training was designed to prove that a smattering of aircraft — six Eurofighters, four A400M multirole aircraft and three A330 tankers — could reach Singapore in 24 hours and join various training activities from there.