RAMSTEIN, Germany – NATO’s Allied Air Command, in cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), is set to conduct Ramstein Flag 2025 (RAFL25) from March 31 to April 11, 2025. The exercise will bring together over 90 aircraft from more than 15 Allied nations, operating from 12 Allied air bases across Europe. This large-scale, tactical-level training exercise aims to bolster multi-domain operations, interoperability, and rapid response capabilities among Allied forces.
The RAFL25 exercise, running alongside the Dutch-led Frisian Flag, is designed to enhance NATO’s ability to operate in a complex environment. The exercise will focus on further developing Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial (C-A2/AD), Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), and Agile Combat Employment (ACE) tactics, techniques and procedures.
NATO air power is fundamental to alliance deterrence in the defence of all NATO nations
“NATO air power is fundamental to alliance deterrence in the defence of all NATO nations, probably now or than ever” Said Air Marshal Jonny Stringer, Deputy Commander Allied Air Command during a media roundtable. “What you're seeing in Ramstein flag is some of the highest end training we're able to conduct in Europe across a raft of nations, supported by all 32 nations”.
The exercise will bring together over 90 aircraft from more than 15 Allied nations, operating from 12 Allied air bases across Europe. Photo by Arnaud Chamberlin
The exercise will focus on further developing Counter Anti-Access/Area Denial, Integrated Air and Missile Defence and Agile Combat Employment. Photo courtesy of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
Exercise Ramstein Flag 25 remains a key demonstration of NATO’s air power, resilience, and commitment to collective defence. Photo by Jason Russell
A critical component of the exercise is the Deployable Air Control Centre, Recognized Air Picture Production Centre, and Sensor Fusion Post (DARS), which has already been deployed ahead of the exercise. The DARS system will provide real-time airspace monitoring, coordination and recognised air picture, ensuring seamless integration between air and ground-based assets.
Participating fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, refueling tankers, and electronic warfare assets, will integrate with Land and Maritime assets, the exercise providing a highly sophisticated multi-domain exercise that includes realistic problem sets in a complex operational environment.
Ramstein Flag "provides a unique opportunity to train the entire air power team in a multinational setting from our crews on the ground and our crews in the air to our maintenance teams, our logistics crews“ said Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Lieutenant General Andre Steur who also participated in the media roundtable. "This exercise is not just about interoperability and training towards the target set or certain opponent, but it's also providing exposure at all levels” he added.
As RAFL25 approaches, the exercise remains a key demonstration of NATO’s air power, resilience, and commitment to collective defence; ensuring NATO air forces are prepared to meet the challenges of an evolving security landscape.