The "Tiger Meet" air defence manoeuvre has begun in the airspace over northern Germany, with aircraft and personnel from 11 NATO members plus non-NATO countries Switzerland and Austria taking part.
"The first aircraft have been in the air since 9 am (0700 GMT)," a spokesman for Jagel airbase in the state of Schleswig-Holstein told dpa. Around 60 combat jets and helicopters from other countries along, with some 1,100 additional troops, are joining the German air force on the manoeuvre.
Storms in the south of the country on Friday had impacted the original flight plans on Friday, the spokesman said. "But they have all arrived," he added. The first exercises were held during the morning, with further take-offs scheduled for the afternoon.
No night flights are planned for the days ahead, and flight movements will be limited over the weekends. Germany's tactical 51 "Immelmann" airwing is holding the exercise for the third time after previous exercises in 2004 and 2014.
Amateur enthusiasts filmed the flights on Monday, with up to 1,500 expected to join two "spotter days" on Friday and June 10. The aircraft are traditionally fitted with special paint or foil for the exercise.
