NATO’s large-scale exercises kick off in Poland

Dragon-24, the national exercises of the Polish Armed Forces, will begin on February 25.

The armed forces of other countries are also involved in the exercises, Interfax reports citing the General Staff of the Polish Army.

About 20,000 servicemen from 10 NATO member states, including about 15,000 soldiers of the Polish armed forces, will take part in the exercises.

Some 3,500 pieces of military equipment will be used in the exercises.

The Polish National Defence Ministry previously announced that the main forces involved in the exercises will be represented by the 11th Armoured Cavalry Division of the Polish Armed Forces. The special forces, air force, navy and territorial defence personnel will also be involved.

The allied forces deployed in Poland, including NATO Enhanced Forward Presence EFP (NATO-allied forward-deployed defense and deterrence military force in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe) will also take part.

According to the ministry, interoperability, onshore, offshore, air combat missions will be checked during the exercises. The military operations will also be conducted in cyberspace.

The exercises will be a "key element" of NATO's biggest exercises since 1988, Steadfast Defender 24. The exercises are not directed against any country, but demonstrate the ability to resist any aggressive policy including provocative actions of the Russian Federation, the ministry added.