A German PATRIOT missile firing unit deployed to Finland to integrate with a Finnish brigade during exercise Mallet Strike 24-1 and train tactics, techniques and procedures and Command and Control structures. The German 120-strong PATRIOT unit will be fully integrated into exercise Mallet Strike working with up to 1700 participants from the Finnish Defence Forces. Embedded in the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System via the Finnish Control and Reporting Centre, the German unit will contribute to the Recognised Air Picture, practice engagement operations against drones and aircraft acting inside joint combined Missile Engagement Zone. The collaboration of Finnish and German GBAD demonstrates NATO’s cohesion and capabilities and underscores of Allied forces are integrated by design. Conducting combined exercises hones cooperation and interoperability among Allies which are essential for meaningful deterrence and defence.
“We conduct this exercise twice a year in the spring and the fall in a mix of live firing and live flying drills. Our participants from all services – and now for the first time from our Ally Germany – will collaborate to repel simulated enemy air attacks including in an electronic warfare environment. The exercise prepares all GBAD operators across the whole chain of command for their wartime mission of defending,” said the Finnish Inspector of the Ground Base Air Defence Forces Colonel Mano-Mikael Nokelainen.
“We successfully conducted a combined sea and road move from Germany to Finland deploying 50 vehicles and 40 trailers over 1500 kilometres to an assembly area in the Lohtaja Military Training Area. We are running system and connectivity tests with our equipment to make sure we can communicate with our Finnish colleagues. Over the weekend we will move to the firing positions where we will start to operate under Finnish Command – we are looking forward to be the first NATO Ally to participate in this Finnish exercise – that has been conducted since 1952,” said Lieutenant Colonel Christoph Schmaler, Commander of the German PATRIOT detachment.
The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) began incorporating Patriot systems in the late 1980s and has since undergone multiple upgrades to ensure the system remains at the cutting edge of defense technology. The German Air Force currently deploys 11 Patriot missile systems, each equipped with 88 launchers. In addition to this formidable force, Germany has placed orders for 4 more Patriot systems, which will come with 32 launchers. These systems are designed to detect, track, and engage a variety of airborne threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft. The Patriot missile systems are managed and operated by several specialized units within the Luftwaffe, primarily under the command of Flugabwehrraketengeschwader 1 (Air Defence Missile Wing 1). This wing oversees multiple groups, each responsible for different aspects of air defense operations.
