“APEX” cross-border exercise: when French and Italians train to defend their airspace

After Spain and Switzerland, this new edition of “APEX”, conducted with Italy, illustrates the CDAOA’s desire to strengthen cross-border interoperability and the coordination of allied air defense systems. Planned and conducted from the Air Center for planning and conducting air operations and air defense (CAPCODA), located on air base 942 at Lyon-Mont Verdun, the exercise was coordinated on the Italian side by theAir and Space Operations Preparation Centre (ASOPC).

A realistic scenario

The scenario simulated the hijacking of a Renegade-type civilian aircraft, requiring the immediate engagement of the surveillance, detection and command chains of the two countries. The objective was to test the responsiveness of crews and command centers, but also their ability to ensure a smooth transfer of authority when the suspect aircraft crossed the border. Consequently, Rafale Cs as well as Italian Eurofighter Typhoons were engaged for identification, escort and interception missions. Throughout the alert phase, the action was monitored and coordinated by the French detection and control centers (CDC) before transfer to their Italian counterparts. Integrated into civil air traffic, the maneuver required permanent coordination with the civil air traffic organizations of the two countries.

Beyond the operational sequence, “APEX” made it possible to test the multinational coordination mechanisms, essential to the management of an air threat evolving in a dense and constrained cross-border environment. The exercise also contributed to consolidating common command procedures, air situation sharing and transfer of authority between allies. More broadly, this training is part of the operational preparation dynamic linked to France’s upcoming takeover of l’Allied Response Force (ARF) (force de réaction alliée de l’OTAN).