NATO has launched its annual nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noon, involving over 60 aircraft in training flights across Western Europe.

The exercise, which takes place over two weeks, is designed to test the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent capabilities.

While the exercise involves aircraft capable of carrying U.S. nuclear warheads, no live weapons are used during the training.

According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, “Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of Allied security. Steadfast Noon is an important test of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent and sends a clear message to any adversary that NATO will protect and defend all Allies.”

The exercise includes participation from 2,000 military personnel stationed across eight airbases, with various aircraft types, including nuclear-capable jets, bombers, fighter escorts, refuelling planes, and aircraft specialising in reconnaissance and electronic warfare.

This year’s Steadfast Noon drills will predominantly take place over Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the North Sea. Thirteen NATO Allies are contributing aircraft to the exercise, which has been in planning for the past year.

A notable milestone in this year’s exercise is the participation of the first Allied F-35A fighter aircraft from the Netherlands, which have been declared ready to perform nuclear roles.

NATO’s recent Washington Summit declaration reinforced the Alliance’s commitment to nuclear deterrence, stating that “the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression.”

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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River Rha
River Rha (@guest_862995)
21 seconds ago

Dare I, a Civilian and Relatively-a-Rookie in comparison with the regular Posters on this particular Forum, be privileged/permitted to Comment/Post on Civilian/Military Matters? Perhaps I Can. It would seem that per an alternative site for Comments on the Military, Matters of Research and Development of Equipment for Military Service Usage and the Sensible Practicalities of Public Involvement in this time of Shared Risks, Financial Resources and Diminution of Availability of Financial Reserves (Civilian and Military) ~ Perhaps one should remember DORA (Defence of the Realm Act, of (Perhaps) the 20th century) and Moderate the Contents of Comments, bearing-in-mind (Second World… Read more »