 NATO will demonstrate its strength with participation of hundreds of warplanes near Russian borders. NATO is planning to hold its largest ever Air Force exercises this summer the German Armed Forces announced in a statement. Dubbed Air Defender 23, the drills are scheduled to take place between June 12th and June 24th and are expected to involve hundreds of aircraft from dozens of nations. A total of 10,000 soldiers and 220 aircraft are to be involved in the war games, the Bundeswehr said, adding that they are to train in the European airspace. The US is to supply 100 of the aircraft out of its stocks, the statement said. According to Berlin, the drills are to be held mostly over German territory although a map published by the Bundeswehr shows that the airspace of Estonia, which borders Russia and of Romania, which borders Ukraine could be used as well. The plan of the drills is modelled after an article 5 assistance scenario, the Bundeswehr said, calling it challenging air operations training for the participating troops. The exercise is aimed at optimising the cooperation between the participating nations and demonstrating the strength of the military block. A total of 24 nations are to take part in the drills including Finland, which only joined NATO earlier in April. Sweden, which has yet to join the block, will participate in the exercise too. The US Air National Guard will provide around half the aircraft used in the German-led exercise in June.