VREDEPEEL, Netherlands --- A conflict between NATO and an aggressor armed with the most modern weapon systems. It is vital that the alliance responds quickly and adequately to any threat from the air.
That is the scenario of an international air defense exercise that started today. The beating heart of Joint Project Optic Windmill is Vredepeel, the home base of the Dutch air defense.
Recent conflicts show the destructive power of "smart" drones and "high-tech" missiles. The war in Ukraine is a close example of this.
Almost all NATO member states have air defense capabilities to avert a threat. But those different weapon systems are only really effective if they operate as a whole. And that is a complex task.
Alignment on many fronts
This is because a specific countermeasure is required for almost every threat. Therefore, air defense systems are diverse. For example, one can intercept a drone, another an airplane or helicopter and the next a missile. Together, the radar and weapon systems cover the entire spectrum, but they must be interconnected. This requires coordination on many fronts.
Completely simulated
It is not as spectacular as the exercise may seem. There are no missile firings. Everything is simulated. It is therefore mainly the most advanced computers that form the backbone of this largest European exercise of its kind.
Joint Project Optic Windmill will continue until April 1.
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