NATO started a nuclear discouragement exercise. The Alliance did not reveal operational details
NATO begins on Monday the annual nuclear discouragement exercise “Steadfast Noon”, which will participate about 2,000 soldiers and over 70 aircraft, informs DPA, citing the organization sources.
“Steadfast Noon” Military Exercise Photo: X
NATO said that the exercise is a routine and is not related to recent violations of its air space by Russian devices or other challenges, but it has the role of reporting that the Alliance is able to defend itself with nuclear weapons, if necessary, writes Agerpres.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Friday that the exercise is essential to maintain the credibility of the nuclear discouragement of the organization.
In accordance with the agreement of the North Atlantic Alliance of Nuclear Sharing, member countries that do not possess nuclear weapons, such as Germany, participate in training missions for potential US nuclear bombs stationed in Europe. It is known that American nuclear weapons are stored in Belgium, Holland, Italy and Germany.
The Alliance did not reveal operational details, but experts say that the exercise usually involves transporting and loading nuclear bombs on aircraft. Real projectiles are not used for such exercises, but only training.
NATO planners say that they are not too worried about a possible activity of drones during the exercise, in the context of recent incidents with the appearance of unidentified drones in several European countries.
Daniel Bunch, NATO's chief planner for nuclear operations, added that drones are not a new threat and that the alliance must be one step forward to accomplish their missions under any conditions.
