More than 1,800 military personnel from Germany, France, and Spain will embark on an historic airlift deployment involving nine Airbus A400Ms, six A330 MRTTs, 12 Eurofighters, 12 Tornados, one A330-200, and four H145M helicopters. This deployment will take them across the Asia-Pacific region through icy, desert, and tropical environments.
The 58,000-kilometre mission will span from 27 June to 15 August and includes significant exercises: Arctic Defender in Alaska, Nippon Skies in Japan, Pitch Black in Australia, and Tarang Shakti 1 in India.
This joint effort aims to enhance operational capabilities among the nations involved in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), bolster military cooperation with Indo-Pacific countries, and showcase their air power commitment to the region.
“By participating in Pacific Skies 24, we as Europeans are showing presence in a part of the world that is of great importance to all of us,” remarked Luftwaffe Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz.
“We expect Russian planes to intercept us”
This will be the first participation of the Spanish Air and Space Force in a project of this magnitude, echoing the ambition of early Spanish aviators who crossed the Atlantic in the 1920s. The contingent includes four Eurofighters from the 11th and 14th Wings, two A400Ms from the 31st Wing, one A330-200 from the 45th Group, and 240 military personnel across two rotations.
The most critical leg of the journey, as stated by Spanish Air Combat Command Chief, Lieutenant General Francisco González-Espresati, will be over the Pacific Ocean, close to Russian airspace. “It is envisaged that Russian aircraft will approach and intercept us,” he noted. “We’re pretty sure they will, but we’re not worried about it.”
Key milestones for the Spanish A400Ms include a return flight from Alaska over the North Pole and a noteworthy collaboration with French and German forces on a trip to New Zealand, located on the opposite side of the globe.
During the Pitch Black exercise, experienced Spanish pilots will train alongside 20 different aircraft types from 20 countries in non-NATO environments.
In the concluding phase, the “Tarang Shakti Phase 1” exercise in India will see Spanish pilots engage with Indian fighters ‘made in Russia’, a first for them.
Shared maintenance of A400Ms and Eurofighters between Germany and Spain
In a bid to optimize logistical operations and maximize performance, the Spanish Air and Space Force and the German Luftwaffe will engage in shared maintenance of Eurofighters and A400Ms, exemplifying the interoperability and collaboration between allied nations.
Over the seven-week expedition, the Spanish and German forces will work closely together. The air forces will launch from Cologne, Germany, where NATO A330 MRTT MMFs, under German command, will refuel the Spanish fighters throughout the mission.
The German Air Force will deploy four A400Ms, four A330 MRTTs, and 12 Tornados, along with eight Eurofighters and four H145M helicopters. This deployment marks the last international appearance of the Tornado aircraft, which will first undergo low-level training in Alaska before participating in Arctic Defender, an air-to-air combat exercise also involving Spanish, French, and US forces with fifth-generation fighters and live ammunition.
In Japan, German Eurofighters will conduct training in Japanese airspace. The deployment will then be divided between Hawaii, for the RIMPAC exercise with the German Navy, and Australia for Pitch Black alongside French and Spanish forces. The final exercise will be Tarang Shakti 1 in India, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force and the UK RAF.
An A400M ‘saviour’ and an A330 MRTT connected to the HQ
Throughout the mission, a French A400M will be on standby to conduct Search and Rescue operations if needed. An A330 MRTT will be connected via satellite to headquarters in Lyon, France, overseeing all French operations.
The French contingent will include three Airbus A400Ms, three A330 MRTTs, and four Rafales, engaging with Spanish and German forces at key locations including Alaska, Japan, Australia, and India, with stops through Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, and the UAE.
The other segment of the French deployment is part of the Griffith Strike, consisting of three A330 MRTTs, three A400Ms, and three Rafales supported by the UK Royal Air Force, making their way to Australia via the UAE and Singapore.
The focus of the French deployment will be speed and agility, as their aircraft will be responsible for transporting all necessary materials to minimize logistics without reliance on pre-positioned equipment.
Airbus team at the service of the customer
An Airbus Services team will be providing support at each location to ensure aircraft readiness regardless of weather or mission dynamics, including low-altitude flying, air strikes, air defence, and refueling operations.
“Pacific Skies is both a remarkable opportunity and a challenge for the Airbus Services team as this exercise represents unprecedented complexity and intensity,” stated Geraldine Thiercelin, Head of Services at Air Power, Airbus Defence and Space. “We are working closely with our suppliers and have prepared additional materials, dispatching technical experts on-site to address any needs that the air forces may have throughout the deployment.”
Pacific Skies showcases Europe’s strategic autonomy capabilities amid complex geopolitical conditions, emphasizing the necessity of air power and the interoperability of allied forces.
Source: Airbus Defence and Space (2024-06-25)
