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Air Direction / Published on: May 23, 2026

At the border of French and Italian airspace, the French Air and Space Army and the Italian Aeronautica Militare conducted a new edition of the “Air Policing Exercise” (APEX) in May. Led by the Air Defense and Air Operations Command, this bilateral training aimed to test the command and control chains of both nations in preparation for the upcoming G7 summit in Avian next month.

A scenario was simulated involving the diversion of a Renegade civil aircraft, requiring immediate engagement from the surveillance, detection, and command chains of both countries. Rafale C and Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets were deployed for identification, escort, and interception missions. The exercise also tested the responsiveness of aircrew and command centers in ensuring a smooth transfer of authority when the suspect aircraft crossed the border.

This exercise demonstrated the need for multinational coordination mechanisms to manage airborne threats in a dense and constrained cross-border environment. It also helped solidify common procedures for command, sharing airspace situations, and authority transfer among allies. In a broader context, this training contributes to the operational readiness ahead of France’s upcoming command of the Allied Response Force (ARF) within NATO.

Set in the eastern flank of Europe, images of French Rafale and Italian Eurofighter jets in flight were captured during the exercise.

[Fact Check: APEX is a training exercise to test command and control chains in multinational air defense operations. The exercise was planned and coordinated from Lyon-Mont Verdun air base, involving French and Italian military forces.]