NATO to begin nuclear deterrence exercise with 71 aircraft from 14 allied nations

NATO’s annual nuclear deterrence exercise, Steadfast Noon, will begin next week, hosted this year by the Netherlands, with 71 aircraft from 14 allied nations participating, officials from the Western military alliance announced on October 10.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the exercise “sends a clear signal to any potential adversary that we will and can protect and defend all allies against all threats.”

Rutte made the remarks in a video message recorded at Volkel Airbase in the Netherlands, which will serve as the main host site for this year’s drills. Additional operations will take place at bases in Kleine Brogel (Belgium), Lakenheath (United Kingdom), and Skrydstrup (Denmark), NATO confirmed.

“We need to do this because it helps us to ensure that our nuclear deterrent remains credible, safe, secure, and effective,” Rutte emphasised.

The Steadfast Noon exercise does not involve the use of nuclear weapons but instead simulates scenarios in which such weapons might be employed, alliance officials said.

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s officials have periodically warned of potential nuclear confrontation with NATO — rhetoric the alliance has repeatedly condemned as dangerous and irresponsible.

However, tensions surrounding nuclear issues have somewhat eased in recent weeks. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed extending for one year the limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons established under the New START Treaty, which is due to expire next February.

Jim Stokes, NATO’s director of nuclear policy, told reporters at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels that Steadfast Noon is a “routine exercise” and “not directed at any country.” He added, “It’s also not linked to any real-world events.”

By Tamilla Hasanova