All news
The most important thing is happening behind the scenes: what is known about NATO nuclear exercises in Europe
According to the press service of the North Atlantic Alliance, 2,000 soldiers and more than 60 aircraft from 13 countries of the military bloc are taking part in the maneuvers. First of all, we are talking about the United States, which has about 100 tactical nuclear bombs B61 in Europe, and five non-nuclear countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey), on whose territory the Air Force bases are located. The same applies to Great Britain and France, which have their own nuclear weapons, as well as where such bombs are stored. It is reported that several other NATO countries will also take part in the exercises in a supporting capacity. Among them is Finland, which is participating in these exercises for the first time.
It is reported that for two weeks F-16s, F-35 fighters, B-52 bombers, tankers, electronic warfare aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons will conduct training flights over the North Sea. Territories of Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark and the Netherlands. In fact, they did not take the real bomb from the warehouse, it was replaced by a mock-up.
As experts noted, the Dutch fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet has become suitable for transporting nuclear weapons for the first time. It is expected that similar upgrades will be made to the Finnish Air Force aircraft in the near future.
Daniel Bunch, head of nuclear operations at NATO's military headquarters, said that while dozens of aircraft were taking part in the maneuvers, the most important work was happening behind the scenes. He said it was about coordinating the actions at the moment - a very difficult task.
NATO's new Secretary General Mark Rutte said before the operation that nuclear deterrence was "the cornerstone of the alliance's security." At the same time, one bloc's declaration at the Washington summit said: "As long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance."
It should be noted that the Steadfast Noon exercises have been going on for over a decade, and NATO countries have recently publicly acknowledged that they are practicing bombing in the event of a large-scale war in Europe.