NATO to start Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercise in Italy with 17 countries
Exercise starts 13 October, lasts ten days and will involve dozens of military aircraft from 17 NATO members.
NATO will launch its annual large-scale nuclear deterrence exercise, Steadfast Noon, in Italy starting on 13 October and running for ten days, the alliance said. Military aircraft from 17 member countries are expected to take part, with dozens of planes and supporting forces to be deployed during the manoeuvres.
The alliance emphasised that Steadfast Noon is a routine, pre-planned training activity held each year to test readiness for nuclear missions, coordination between partners and safety procedures. NATO stressed that no actual nuclear warheads or live nuclear munitions will be used during the exercise.
Most activity will be concentrated in and around Italy, well away from Russian territory. Key locations include the Aviano and Ghedi air bases, while other operations will take place in additional areas across the country.
Reassurances amid heightened rhetoric
NATO's head of nuclear policy, Nasima Barous, sought to allay fears by saying: "Our Steadfast Noon exercise is routine. We run it every year and have never postponed it. There is no reason for concern. This is a predictable activity."
The exercise comes amid rising tensions with Russia, which at the end of September warned it could use its full military arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if Western allies attempted to isolate the Kaliningrad exclave. Kaliningrad sits between Poland and Lithuania and hosts significant Russian capabilities, including Iskander missile systems that can be fitted with nuclear warheads.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended the drills as necessary for deterrence: "This exercise helps us to ensure a safe, secure, effective and credible capability to preserve peace, deter threats and prevent aggression." The alliance also said it had not observed major changes in Russian force deployments that would warrant additional concern and reiterated that the exercise was planned well in advance and not tied to recent events.
Photo: press material from the event
