NATO commanders have been applying lessons learned from the ongoing drone conflict in Ukraine to enhance their operational readiness during Europe’s largest air defense exercise, currently taking place in the Netherlands. This significant exercise, named “Joint Project Optic Windmill,” is a biennial event that spans ten days and involves participation from 15 nations, including new alliance members Sweden and Finland, who are joining for the first time.
Brigadier-General Peter Gielen, the commanding officer of the exercise, highlighted the unprecedented level of threats faced on contemporary battlefields. He acknowledged the invaluable insights gained from the Ukrainian defense against these threats, particularly concerning drone warfare. Gielen noted that special emphasis has been placed on incorporating these lessons into the exercise, particularly regarding the Iranian-style Shahed exploding drone, which has been extensively used by Moscow during its military campaign in Ukraine.
Military officials, who requested anonymity for security reasons, revealed that the exercise included critical training aspects such as tracking the flight patterns of these drones as they approach targets. This kind of intelligence gleaned from the conflict in Ukraine is deemed essential for preparing NATO personnel to effectively respond to similar threats, Gielen asserted. He emphasized the importance of closely monitoring developments in Ukraine and rapidly integrating this information into training exercises.
Approximately 700 soldiers participated in this large-scale event, representing nations including the United Kingdom and the United States. The exercise challenged the participants with evolving scenarios, transitioning from a state of peace to full-scale war, and also included preparations for potential chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
One of the primary objectives of the exercise was to ensure that air defense teams can integrate various technologies and systems effectively. The Dutch Defense Ministry underscored that this integration would enable them to counter threats more efficiently than any single system could achieve alone.
This important drill comes in the wake of recent shifts in US policy toward Europe, particularly after former President Donald Trump questioned America’s ongoing commitment to NATO. Brigadier-General Gielen referred to this policy change as a wake-up call for Europe, emphasizing the immediate need for increased investment in military capabilities, particularly in the realm of air defense. He stated, “If we then invest in military, we certainly should invest also in air defense,” reflecting a collective urgency among NATO allies to fortify their defense strategies in light of evolving geopolitical dynamics.
