60 aircraft from 14 NATO states to take part in nuclear exercise

Europe, News, US October 17, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

14 NATO countries’ Air forces are taking part in exercise Steadfast Noon to enhance nuclear deterrence capabilities. The exercise will be held from October 17 to 30, 2022, and involve dozens of aircraft over northwestern Europe.

Steadfast Noon is an annual exercise to enhance the Allies’ Air Forces capabilities. This year’s exercise involves 14 countries and up to 60 different types of aircraft, including fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets, as well as surveillance and tanker aircraft, a NATO statement highlighted.

U.S. B-52 long-range bombers to take part in the exercise and fly from Minot Air Base in North Dakota. “Training flights will take place over Belgium, which is hosting the exercise, as well as over the North Sea and the United Kingdom. No live weapons are used,” the NATO statement added.

Steadfast Noon is hosted by a different NATO Ally each year. According to NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu, “This exercise helps ensure that the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, and effective.”

NATO’s new Strategic Concept highlights that “the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression,” and stresses that, “as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance. NATO’s goal is a safer world for all; we seek to create the security environment for a world without nuclear weapons.”

*^{Illustration of flags at North Atlantic Treaty Organization headquarters. (Image Credit: NATO)}*

Earlier this week, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, “It would send a very wrong signal if we suddenly now cancelled a routine, long-time planned exercise because of the war in Ukraine. That would be absolutely the wrong signal to send.”

“NATO’s firm, predictable behavior, our military strength, is the best way to prevent escalation. If we now created the grounds for any misunderstandings, miscalculations in Moscow about our willingness to protect and defend all allies, we would increase the risk of escalation,” Stoltenberg added.

Last week during NATO’s ministerial meeting, the defense ministers discussed NATO’s nuclear capabilities as the allies prepare for annual nuclear training exercises. NATO ministers also held discussions on increasing munitions stockpiles and other equipment to deter further Russian aggression.