Ukraine conflict: ‘Neptune Strike 2022.2' tests German Patriot batteries in Slovakia

NATO combat aircraft tested Luftwaffe Patriot batteries defending Sliač airbase in Slovakia on 20 October during ‘Neptune Strike 2022.2'. (Janes/Nicholas Fiorenza)

NATO combat aircraft tested Luftwaffe Patriot batteries defending Sliač airbase in Slovakia on 20 October during exercise ‘Neptune Strike 2022.2' (‘NEST 22.2'), which is being held from 14 to 28 October.

Aircraft including US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft flying from the USS George H W Bush aircraft carrier in the Aegean Sea, Luftwaffe Tornado electronic combat/reconnaissance (ECR), and French Rafales simulated attacks against the base. Aerial refuelling was provided by US, German, and French tankers. The simulated air attack also gave the aircraft and their crew practice in operating against air defences.

Sliač has been defended by German Patriots since March, when they were deployed by road to Slovakia within five days of the decision to do so, according to Luftwaffe officials at the Slovak base. The air-defence systems are armed with Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) missiles to defend against air-breathing threats and PAC-3 for tactical ballistic defence.

The German Patriots were followed in mid-April by the deployment of a 150-strong Royal Netherlands Air Force battery with the air-defence system. The battery withdrew in mid-October, leaving 20 Dutch personnel behind in Sliač as a cadre in case the Patriots have to be rapidly deployed back from the Netherlands, according to Luftwaffe Colonel Dirk Krause, German contingent commander in Slovakia.

Both the Dutch and the German Patriots were deployed with Modern Man Stations, which replaced outdated control panels in the air-defence systems' command-and-control shelters.

‘NEST 22.2' is a multidomain exercise organised and conducted by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), and integrating the capabilities of the George H W Bush