NATO has begun the two-week Ramstein Flag 2026 air exercise. Part of the maneuvers will take place in areas near Russia’s borders.
The exercise will involve forces from up to 18 allied countries. It will be held across three operational areas, with Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Spain serving as the main host nations.
More than 200 aircraft will take part in the maneuvers. They include fighter jets, transport aircraft, tanker aircraft, reconnaissance planes, E-3A AWACS airborne early-warning and control aircraft, as well as RQ-4D Phoenix drones.
NATO plans to conduct more than 150 sorties a day from more than 20 operating locations. These will include stretches of road used under the Agile Combat Employment concept, which provides for the dispersed use of air power and the ability to quickly change basing locations.
According to NATO’s press service, the exercise will focus mainly on strengthening integrated air and missile defense, improving data exchange among allies, practicing operations in conditions of restricted access to a theater of war, and increasing forces’ readiness for a possible Article 5 response under the North Atlantic Treaty.