NATO Launches Nuclear Exercises
3- 14.10.2024, 9:17
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About 2,000 troops will take part in the Steadfast Noon exercises in Europe.
About 2,000 NATO troops will take part in the Steadfast Noon exercises in Europe in the next two weeks. More than 60 aircraft will be involved in the air exercises, Deutsche Welle reports.
On Monday, October 14, NATO begins its two-week annual exercises to protect its member states, during which the use of nuclear weapons will be trained. According to information from NATO headquarters in Brussels, about 2,000 servicemen stationed at eight European air bases will take part in the Steadfast Noon exercises. More than 60 aircraft will be involved in the air exercises, including modern fighters capable of transporting American nuclear bombs deployed in Europe, long-range bombers, as well as observation and refueling aircraft.
This year, the maneuvers will take place at air bases in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as over the North Sea — in the airspace of the UK and Denmark. Aircraft from 13 NATO member states, including Germany, are taking part in the military exercises.
NATO: Exercises are not a response to Russia's aggression
NATO emphasizes that Steadfast Noon is not a direct response to Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and that live weapons will not be used during the maneuvers. However, the exercises are intended to send a clear signal to Moscow that the alliance is ready to defend itself, including with nuclear weapons, "if the worst happens," they note.
"Nuclear deterrence is the foundation of the North Atlantic Alliance's security," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte explained before the start of the maneuvers. According to him, these military exercises should demonstrate "to any adversary" that the Alliance is ready to respond to any threats and will defend all its allies.
Training flights without real nuclear weapons
As the dpa agency writes, NATO has not provided any information about the scenario and details of the exercises. However, according to some military experts, the annual maneuvers that traditionally began in mid-October this time include practicing the safe transportation of American nuclear weapons from underground storage to aircraft and loading. However, experts say that training flights take place without bombs.
NATO's program for the joint use of nuclear weapons provides that this type of American weapon stationed in Europe can be used against enemy targets in emergency situations from aircraft of partner countries. According to unconfirmed information, it is stored in northern Italy, Turkey, Belgium, the Netherlands, and also at the Büchel air base in the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
The German Armed Forces in previous years took part in the Steadfast Noon exercises, in which, among other things, German Tornado fighters participated, dpa reminds.
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