Exercise Pacific Skies 2024, European aircraft exercise in the Pacific

Exercise Pacific Skies 2024, a European aircraft exercise in the Pacific, is set to kick off on July 8th. This exercise involves German, Spanish, and French aircraft practicing deployment and operations in the Pacific region. Led by the German Air Force, the exercise will integrate with scheduled exercises from the US, Japan, and Australia, culminating in visits to New Zealand and India for further joint training.

The focus of the exercise is on air combat and supporting air warfare far from Europe. The participating combat aircraft include 12 German Tornado fighters, 12 Eurofighter Typhoons (8 German and 4 Spanish), and 4 French Rafale fighters. These warplanes will be supported by transport and tanker aircraft from Germany and France.

The exercise will progress through various activities, including air-to-air combat exercises over Alaska, joint training flights over Japan, cooperation with German naval vessels in Ex RIMPAC, a multinational air combat exercise in Australia, and joint training flights in India.

This exercise aims to build relationships, practice long-range deployment of fighter aircraft, and enhance inter-operability, specifically in command and control. It also demonstrates Europe’s interest in the Pacific region and its commitment to working closely with the US and Australia.

Additionally, the US Marine Corps has received its first batch of new Amphibious Combat Vehicles, replacing the older LVTP 7 tracked amphibious vehicle. These new vehicles represent a trend towards large wheeled armored vehicles, driven by experiences in Afghanistan.

Furthermore, Tonga has opened a new Armed Forces Leadership Centre, partly funded by New Zealand, showcasing New Zealand’s commitment to building relationships with its Pacific neighbors. In Melanesia, Fiji has received Bushmaster armored vehicles from Australia, enhancing its land forces’ capabilities.

Overall, these developments highlight the strategic importance of the Pacific region and the ongoing efforts by various countries to strengthen their military capabilities and partnerships in the area.