Maneuvers Across Europe – NATO Nuclear Exercise: “For Efficient Deterrence”

NATO emphasizes that “Steadfast Noon” is not a response to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and that no real weapons are used. “The exercise, which will run until October 30, is a routine, recurring training measure unrelated to current world events,” the alliance said on Friday. In particular, the scene of the maneuvers should be the airspace over Belgium, Great Britain and the North Sea.

NATO does not provide information about the exercise scenario and details. According to military experts, among other things, during the maneuvers that take place regularly in October, they practice how to safely transport American nuclear weapons from underground warehouses to the aircraft and mount them under the fighter jets. However, the training flights will then be flown without bombs. According to unconfirmed information, US nuclear weapons are said to have been stored in northern Italy, Belgium, Turkey, the Netherlands and Büchel (German state of Rhineland-Palatinate).

NATO has openly informed about the start of the exercise
The so-called nuclear sharing of NATO means that in case of emergency they are also dropped by aircraft from partner countries and then, for example, take out opposing forces. Germany has PA-200 Tornado fighter jets ready for this. Unlike previous Steadfast Noon exercises, NATO proactively announces the start this year.

In allied circles this is justified by the fact that this time it has to be demonstrated more than usual that NATO itself is well prepared for a horror scenario such as nuclear war. The illegal annexation of four occupied Ukrainian territories has recently fueled new concerns about Russia’s use of nuclear weapons. Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin, among others, announced at the time that they would defend them with all available means.