NATO is organising a major air manoeuvres exercise designed to demonstrate the unity of its members in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in the face of potential threats from Russia in the midst of the conflict in Ukraine. The exercise, called "Air Defender 23", takes place from 12 to 23 June 2023. It brings together some 250 military aircraft from 25 NATO member and partner countries, including Japan and Sweden, a country applying for membership of the Alliance. At the heart of these extraordinary manoeuvres is the AWACS radar aircraft. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES