German media: NATO's largest air exercise simulates "Russian attack" in Ramstein Flag 2025

NATO Air Forces are currently conducting the Ramstein Flag 2025 exercises, simulating a defense scenario where Russia allegedly attacks Alliance territory, according to reports from the DPA news agency.

The exercises, which began on March 31, have already seen NATO forces carry out maneuvers to counter air attacks and neutralize air defense systems of a simulated adversary. A total of 90 aircraft, including 8 Eurofighter jets from Germany, along with helicopters and drones, are participating in the exercise.

In the final phase of the drills, on April 10 and 11, NATO Air Forces will focus on "supporting ground forces during an emergency in the defense against an invading enemy" over the North Sea, off the coast of the Netherlands. While reports claim that the scenario involves a "Russian attack," official press releases from NATO do not specify this detail.

The main objective of the exercises is to ensure that NATO's air forces can operate cohesively and effectively, with the maneuvers also serving as a "signal" to Russia. General James Hecker, Commander of NATO's Air Forces, emphasized the goal of deterrence, stating, "We hope that exercises like this will deter the adversary." However, Hecker did not clarify the identity of the "adversary."

Additionally, Hecker addressed rumors about the potential withdrawal of some US troops from Europe, expressing confidence that the US military presence in the region would remain robust, citing the ongoing planning of future Ramstein Flag exercises.

Ramstein Flag is organized by NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) and is a multi-domain, tactical-level exercise aimed at enhancing combined warfare capabilities. It focuses on areas such as agile combat employment, integrated air and missile defense, and countering anti-access and area denial strategies in a simulated Article 5 scenario — meaning "an attack on one member is an attack on all." The exercise includes participants from Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.