Defense News

Germany

The German Deployable Control and Reporting Centre (DCRC), nicknamed Red Hawk, is now fully operational at Ämari Air Base in Estonia. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Sebastian S., the DCRC is set to enhance NATO's command and control capabilities in the Baltic Sea region starting April 1, 2024.

Germany's contribution to NATO's enhanced Air Policing in the Baltic includes four Eurofighters from the 74th Tactical Air Wing at Neuburg, Germany, along with the ground-based DCRC from the 3rd Control and Reporting Area at Schönewalde, Germany.

Equipped with state-of-the-art radar systems tightly integrated into the BALTNET data network and NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS), the DCRC is tasked with surveilling and identifying air movements in its designated airspace. Additionally, it can provide tactical control to Allied weapon systems like the German Eurofighters stationed in Lielvarde, Latvia, during alert and training scrambles under NATO Air Policing.

Following completion of preparations and construction in March, the DCRC team, operating under the call sign Red Hawk, conducted integration tests to confirm readiness for their NATO mission until the summer. From monitoring civil air traffic to detecting unidentified aircraft in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, the radar systems of Red Hawk provide comprehensive coverage.

The DCRC operates through collaboration among specialists utilizing various technologies to create, identify, and evaluate a detailed air picture. Its primary objectives include monitoring airspace on NATO's eastern flank and supporting the tactical leadership of air operations for NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission.

Safety in air operations is paramount, with close coordination maintained with military air defense units of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as civil air traffic control agencies in the Baltics.

In addition to airspace surveillance, the German DCRC at Ämari also facilitates training and exercises, conducting simulations of various scenarios internally and with allied forces. This includes drills focused on identifying unknown aircraft and controlling fighter jets during training intercepts.

Overall, the deployment of the German DCRC "Red Hawk" marks a significant step in bolstering NATO's air surveillance capabilities in the Baltic region, ensuring the security and stability of allied airspace.