On August 15, the German Air Force will deploy to the Indo-Pacific region with a group of several aircraft, thus demonstrating its operational readiness: six Eurofighters, four A400M and three A330 MRTTMulti role tanker transport (Multi Role Tanker Transport) are tasked with reaching Singapore in just 24 hours. For this occasion, a single Typhoon (31+11) received a new stunning special paint scheme.
With the subsequent deployment to Australia and participation in two international exercises there, the Air Force is testing its interoperability with Allies inside and outside NATO in the Indo-Pacific. During the Pitch Black air combat exercise, the Eurofighters will practice air attacks and defence in larger formations with their international partners. The Eurofighters will be deployed in the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. In the multinational naval combat exercise Kakadu, the partners also protect ships from the air. Around 250 Air Force soldiers are involved.
Before moving back to Germany, the participating units practice together with the Singapore Air Force and visit allies in Japan and South Korea. The two short visits by German sub-fleets to Japan and South Korea also serve to deepen relations with the value partners there. The first step towards more German military presence in the Indo-Pacific region was the deployment of the frigate "Bayern". From August 2021 to February 2022, the German Navy ship was in the sea area between the Horn of Africa, Australia and Japan.
With Rapid Pacific and participation in the two exercises, the Bundeswehr is now demonstrating once again with the Air Force its ability to form an alliance in the Indo-Pacific and its operational readiness: Because the Air Force cooperates with value partners worldwide and at the same time is active in the increased air policing of the Baltic States in the defence of the country and the alliance.
Flight route of Eurofighter Typhoon (image : Bundeswehr)
Six Eurofighters from Tactical Air Force Wing 74 in Neuburg an der Donau, four A400Ms from Air Transport Wing 62 in Wunstorf and three A330 MRTTsMulti role tanker transport of the multinational air transport association Multi Role Tanker Transport Unit in Eindhoven are relocating from Germany to the Indo-Pacific for the first time. The self-imposed goal: arrival within 24 hours.
From Germany, the route goes via Italy, Greece, Israel and Jordan to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. There the pilots change. The second part of the transfer is via the Gulf of Oman, India, the Bay of Bengal to Singapore. The aircraft will then be transferred to Darwin, where the Air Force will take part in two international exercises in the weeks that follow.
Statement by the Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht:
"With the first deployment of the Air Force from Eurofighters, A400M and tankers to the Indo-Pacific region starting in August, we are showing that we also think security beyond Europe."