Nauen Airport

The primary closure was a direct result of geopolitical changes, specifically the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany. The Soviet/Russian military base was no longer required and was decommissioned. The final closure was for economic and land redevelopment reasons, as the site was repurposed for renewable energy generation and an industrial park, making aviation operations impossible.

The former airport site has been completely transformed and is no longer recognizable as an active airfield. A large portion of the site, including the main runway and taxiways, has been converted into the 'Solarpark Nauen' (also known as Solarpark Groß Behnitz), a massive photovoltaic power plant. The remaining areas, including some of the original Soviet-era hangars and buildings, have been redeveloped into the 'Gewerbepark Fliegerhorst Nauen', an industrial and business park. The site is now a hub for renewable energy and local businesses, with the airfield's concrete surfaces either removed, built over, or repurposed as service roads.

Nauen Airport has significant military history. It was originally constructed between 1935 and 1936 as a 'Fliegerhorst' (Air Base) for the German Luftwaffe. During World War II, it served as both a training facility and an operational base for various bomber and fighter units. After the war, it was taken over by the Soviet Armed Forces and became a key frontline air base for the Soviet Air Force in East Germany (GDR). It was home to several units of the 16th Air Army of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, most notably housing fighter-bomber regiments flying aircraft such as the MiG-23, MiG-27, and Su-17. The base played a strategic role as part of the Warsaw Pact's military posture during the Cold War.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Nauen Airport. The extensive and permanent redevelopment of the site into a large-scale solar park and a business park makes any return to aviation activities physically and economically unfeasible. The land use has been permanently changed, and local development plans are focused on expanding the industrial and renewable energy capacity of the site.