About 60 NATO aircraft taking part in nuclear exercise in Europe

Europe, News October 16, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

NATO Allies began the long-planned annual nuclear exercise Steadfast Noon on October 16, 2023. About 60 aircraft including B-52 bombers are taking part in training flights over southern Europe. The exercise will continue until October 26.

According to the NATO statement, “The exercise is a routine training activity that has been conducted annually for over a decade.” During the exercises, 13 Allied nations’ military aircraft and bombers will practice different maneuvers.

This year’s Steadfast Noon exercise will involve advanced fighter jets, conventional jets, surveillance and refueling aircraft as well as U.S. B-52 bombers that will fly in from the United States.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, “Our exercise will help to ensure the credibility, effectiveness, and security of our nuclear deterrent.” He added, “It sends a clear message that NATO will protect and defend all Allies.”

Each year a different NATO ally hosts the Steadfast Noon exercise. This year training flights will take place over Italy, Croatia, and the Mediterranean Sea.

The exercise also involves fighter aircraft that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, however, the NATO statement stressed that the Allies will not use any live bombs during the exercise.

*^{Royal Air Force Typhoon jet conducting air-to-air refueling demonstrating a critical enabling skill for NATO Air Power. (Image Credit: Arnaud Chamberlin/NATO AIRCOM)}*

The NATO statement added that the Steadfast Noon exercise “is not linked to current world events” and for the most part, the training will be held at least 1,000 kilometers from the Russian borders.

The Alliance released a statement highlighting that NATO’s Strategic Concept makes clear that “the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression.”

The Strategic Concept also stresses that “as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance”.