Germany Sends Fighter Jet to Asia to Participate in Joint Military Exercises

On August 15th, the German Air Force said it will send six Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, four A400M transport aircraft, three A330 MRTT air refueling aircraft and 250 troops to Asia to participate in a joint military exercise. Germany will be on a 2 months long training trip in Asia, and will fly through the airspace adjacent to Taiwan.

This is the first time since the end of World War II that the German Air Force has sent military aircraft to Asia to participate in a joint military exercise. The planes are expected to take off from a southern German air base on the afternoon of the 15th after passing through Singapore and being refueled non-stop by three A330 MRTT air refueling planes for a continuous 24-hour flight, a total of 12,800 kilometers, to Australia. This fleet will participate in a 17-nation joint military exercise from late August through September. At the end of September, it is expected to fly north from Singapore to Japan and South Korea, flying over the airspace on the path near Taiwan.

The Luftwaffe named the military mission “Rapid Pacific 2022,” and Luftwaffe Commander Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz said the Luftwaffe has been preparing for this training mission for two years. The purpose of the exercise is to demonstrate the Luftwaffe’s ability for large deployment of missions around the globe.

In September 2020, the German Government announced for the first time of its diplomatic approach to the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing that it will defend the international order based on international rules and the right to navigation at sea. In 2021, the German Navy sent its first patrol ship (the Bavaria)to Japan to join the training in the ports of Australia, Singapore and Vietnam. Again the air force warplanes were sent to Asia to participate in joint military exercises, showing Germany’s determination to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.