The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) kicked off its annual nuclear weapons defense exercise on Monday, a training operation that is part of the alliance’s ongoing efforts to “maintain preparation and guarantee the transparency around its nuclear posture“.
This simulacrum, which It does not involve the use of real weapons nor is it linked to any current international eventshas been planned in advance as part of NATO’s routine activities. “We need to do this because it helps us ensure that our nuclear deterrent remains as credible, secure and effective as possible“said on Friday the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutteto present the exercise.
However, and despite the context of growing tension with Russia, in which Steadfast Noon “It is routine and not a reaction to recent or other provocations”.
In this sense, the general Daniel Bunchhead of Nuclear Operations at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) has called for calm, noting that “Drones are not a new threat to us. We know this problem well” and that NATO “will always be one step ahead and will be able to fulfill its missions in any threat situation.”
For its part, Jim StokesNATO’s Director of Nuclear Policy, insists that the objective of the exercise is “promote transparency when and where appropriate, so that our allied populations and the world at large have a good understanding of what we are doing.”
More than 2,000 participants and nearly 70 planes
This year, the Netherlands act like host countrywith the Base Aérea de Volkel as the main center of operations. Support facilities also participate in the Base Aérea de Kleine-Brogelin Belgium, and in LakenheathUnited Kingdom. Additionally, a significant conventional contingent will operate from Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark.
The colonel Daniel Bunchchief of Nuclear Operations at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), highlighted the magnitude of the deployment, estimating that “in total, we are considering approximately 2,000 people directly supporting this exercise“he stated.
Likewise, they will be mobilized near 70 aircraft from 14 countries allies, including conventional and dual-capable aircraft. Among them are German Tornado fighter aircraftspecially adapted to transport American nuclear bombs stationed in Europe, as well as and other support aircraft.
Although the details of the exercise are confidential, experts point out that the maneuvers include the safe transport of nuclear weapons from underground depots to aircraft and their assembly under aircraft. No real warheads will be used, but practice bombs.
