Defence Germany, France and Spain hold joint air drills in Japan

[thomas]

Some 30 military aircraft from Germany, France, and Spain arrived in Japan on Friday for training exercises with the Air Self-Defense Force. This marks these countries' first-ever trilateral air force deployment to the Indo-Pacific. After participating in the Arctic Defender aerial combat drills, the aircraft arrived from Alaska. This is the first leg of a two-month Pacific Skies deployment, which includes exercises with Japan, India, and Australia. These two-day aerial manoeuvres aim to improve tactical skills and promote mutual understanding. They highlight the growing defence ties between Tokyo and key European partners, mainly NATO members, as they align their strategic interests amid shared economic and security concerns.

Photo credit: Bundeswehr​

The air forces of the three European countries have formed a joint unit and are participating in the weekslong Pacific Skies 2024 exercise across multiple continents. The unit will reach Japan after training with the U.S. military in Alaska. The ASDF will jointly train with the German and Spanish air forces near Chitose Air Base, Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido. The ASDF will jointly train with the French Air Force around Hyakuri Air Base in Ibaraki prefecture northeast of Tokyo. Germany and Spain will send 12 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, and the ASDF will participate with four F-15 fighters. This marks Spain's first time sending fighter jets to Japan and Germany's second time, the first being in 2022. For the Japan-France joint drills, four French Rafale fighter jets will be joined by two ASDF F-2 fighters. The exercises will test the ability to communicate smoothly in any scenario and come as Europe shows a heightened sense of vigilance toward China and Russia. In addition to the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, China presents risks to international shipping routes and the supply of critical materials and goods.

German, French and Spanish fighter aircraft arrive in Japan for joint drills

The stopover in Japan is part of a two-month, trinational Pacific Skies deployment that will also take the three countries’ air forces to Australia, India and Hawaii.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Paywall alert:

Germany, France and Spain hold joint air drills in Japan

Exercises around Japanese territory are a show of force against China and Russia

asia.nikkei.com