NATO would hold an extensive air force exercise in the Czech Republic in September, with seventeen countries have confirmed participation, Czech Defense Ministry spokeswoman Jana Zechmeisterova said on Saturday.

Zechmeisterova said the exercise will be controlled by the NATO command in Ramstein, Germany, while the main goal of the exercise is "to bring in harmony the activities of pilots of the tactical air force and the activities of forward air controllers in support of ground operations."

The participating forces will focus on improving mutual cooperation and standardization of procedure in the use of direct air support. The planes will be taking off mainly from the 22nd air base in Sedlec, Czech Republic.

The exercises will be joined by the US anti-tank L-39 aircraft and F-16 fighter planes, Czech L-39 trainers and L-159 combat planes as well as Russian-made combat and transport helicopters.