Deterrence against Russia: NATO begins defense exercise with nuclear weapons

This Monday, NATO begins its annual maneuver to defend the alliance’s territory with nuclear weapons. According to information from headquarters in Brussels, around 2,000 military personnel from eight air bases will be involved in the “Steadfast Noon” exercise over the next two weeks. The airborne maneuvers will involve training with more than 60 aircraft. These include modern fighter jets capable of transporting US nuclear bombs stationed in Europe, long-range bombers, but also surveillance and tanker aircraft.

This year, the venue for the maneuver is in particular air force bases in Belgium and the Netherlands as well as the airspace over Great Britain, Denmark and the North Sea. The aircraft involved come from a total of 13 NATO countries, including Germany.

NATO: maneuvers are not a reaction to Russia’s war of aggression

NATO emphasizes that “Steadfast Noon” is not a reaction to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and that no live weapons will be used. Nevertheless, the exercise should also send a clear signal to Moscow that NATO is prepared to defend itself with nuclear weapons if the worst comes to the worst.

“Nuclear deterrence is the foundation of the security of the alliance,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the start of the maneuver. “Steadfast Noon” sends a clear message to every opponent: NATO will protect and defend all allies.

Training flights without bombs

NATO did not provide any information about the exercise scenario or details. According to military experts, the exercises, which take place regularly in October, practice how to safely transport US nuclear weapons from underground magazines to aircraft and mount them under fighter jets. During the training flights, however, the aircraft was flown without the bombs.

NATO’s so-called nuclear sharing stipulates that, in an emergency, US nuclear weapons stationed in Europe can also be dropped from aircraft of partner states and then, for example, eliminate opposing forces. According to officially unconfirmed information, US nuclear weapons are said to be stored in northern Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Büchel in Rhineland-Palatinate, for example. The Bundeswehr recently took part in the “Steadfast Noon” exercises with, among other things, Tornado jets.