On Monday, amid rising tensions with Russia over the Ukraine war, NATO exercises using nuclear-capable strategic planes will begin in an effort to strengthen the alliance’s deterrence capabilities.
The “Steadfast Noon” exercises will be conducted over Belgium, the North Sea, and the UK through October 30. While adamant that no live ammunition will be used, NATO has termed the exercises as “normal” and “not tied to any current world issues.”
In total, 14 countries and 60 aircraft of various types will take part in Steadfast Noon. The planes include state-of-the-art fighter jets, surveillance and tanker planes, as well as US B-52 nuclear-capable strategic bombers, which will arrive in Europe from Minot Air Base in North Dakota.
“This exercise helps ensure that the alliance’s nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective,” NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu noted.
The Belgian Coalition Against Nuclear Weapons organization urged the military bloc to halt the drills on Thursday, emphasizing that it was “irresponsible” to carry out these actions “under rising nuclear tensions with Russia.”
John Kirby, the coordinator of the National Security Council, commented on the exercises on Thursday and noted that Steadfast Noon had been prepared well before Russia’s military operation in Ukraine began in late February. The exercises, he continued, will be held more than 600 miles (or 1,000 kilometers) away from Russian borders.
Kirby continued by saying that the US anticipates Russia will soon hold its own yearly strategic nuclear exercise. He said that Washington believed the Russian exercise would include activities “within the regular parameters,” such as the deployment of strategic assets. “We anticipate the [Russians’] exercise would take several days,” he said. Moscow hasn’t yet disclosed any such drills, though.
