From July 22 to 25, three German Eurofighters and one German A400 a flew during the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) exercise Nippon Skies reinforcing partner relations and interoperability between both air forces. Under the 2024 deployment to the Indo-Pacific region dubbed Pacific Skies, the German Air Force together with air forces of several Allies participate in a series of exercises with air forces in Japan, India and Australia. Aimed at improving tactical skills and promoting mutual understanding, the aerial maneuvers highlight the expanding defence ties between Tokyo and key European partners – particularly NATO members – as they align their strategic interests amid shared economic and security concerns.
“We are pleased to return to our friends in Japan and to expand our relationship build on mutual trust. The solid military partnership between the two air forces allows to further enhance interoperability and respect,” said Lieutenant Colonel Matthias Boehnke, German Air Force spokesperson during the Pacific Skies deployment.
The JASDF’s drills with Germany took place in the airspace around Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido. The German Eurofighters deployed to Japan following their participation in exercise Arctic Defender in Alaska in a seven-hour deployment flight covering 5,000 kilometres. Exercise Nippon Skies hones the German-Japanese Partnership and builds on the relations established during a first deployment to Japan in September 2022. Both air forces will exchange and practice tactics, techniques and procedures among other related to the F-35 fighter jet that Japan is operating and Germany will acquire in a few years. The German Eurofighters and A400M, based at Chitose Air Base near Sapporo in northern Japan, flew alongside the JASDF F-15 fighter jets.
While the German participation in Nippon Skies is a bilateral activity, Japan is a NATO Partner in the Indo-Pacific region. NATO and Japan work together bilaterally on a range of common cross-regional security challenges such as cyber defence, new technologies and maritime security, as well as through NATO’s broader relations with its partners in the region. In today’s complex global security environment, Japan and NATO are committed to enhancing political dialogue and practical cooperation in order to uphold and strengthen the rules-based international order.
