Mar 31 2025

Strength and Knowledge in NATO’s Largest Integrated Air and Missile Defence Exercise.

BRUNSSUM, The Netherlands – From March 5th until the 29th the General Best Barrack in Vredepeel, the Netherlands was the centre for air and missile defenders. The main goal is to optimize integration of air and missile defence systems throughout NATO allies.

These moments are valuable as we get to understand and learn from each other. Although we all operate under NATO procedures, countries will also still have their own way of thinking and working

Joint Project Optic Windmill (JPOW) is a multinational exercise organized by the Netherlands and Germany. The exercise mainly takes place in the virtual domain on computers and simulators placed in big tents set up on a former runway on the border of the province of Limburg and North-Brabant. One of the main objectives is the integration of air and missile defence systems from NATO allies into one network, which enables decision-makers to choose the right resources at the right time at the right place in order to achieve the desired effect in a realistic multi-domain scenario.

Another objective of JPOW is the moment where operators from different countries and different units can sit together in the same room and discuss tactics and procedures. First Lieutenant Mika, Dutch Tactical Director: “Every day ends with a mass briefing where we have an open discussion. These moments are valuable as we get to understand and learn from each other. Although we all operate under NATO procedures, countries will also still have their own way of thinking and working.”

Among the 15 NATO allies, Sweden and Finland are participating for the first time since they became NATO members. Although both countries already operated air and missile defence systems according NATO procedures and have been present at previous JPOW editions as observers, both countries have the chance to verify and confirm their procedures. According to Major Max Larsson of the Swedish Armed Forces: “It’s our first international Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) exercise with our PATRIOT system and it provides a great opportunity to meet other users and to learn from each other.”

JPOW is also hosting the AIRCOM-led initiative Ramstein Century 25 (RACE25). This exercise emphasizes the integration of airborne Air Defence Forces and Surface Based Air and Missile Defence units with a Joint Force Air Component. It’s a unique possibility for AIRCOM to come together with the operators and discuss how units on a tactical level respond to JFAC orders.

Exercise JPOW was held for the first time in 1996. The idea came after the Gulf War of 1991 where ground based air defence units were deployed in the Middle East and operators were lacking experience with integration. Therefore, the first JPOW edition focused on the tactical level training and slowly involved into exercise, which focusses on all aspects from a tactical to strategic level. This development showcases the importance of IAMD as a credible deterrence and defence option within NATO’s mission.

Story by JFC Brunssum Public Affairs Office