NATO will begin its annual nuclear preparedness exercise “Steadfast Noon” next week, the alliance announced Thursday.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of preparedness in an increasingly unstable global landscape.
“In an uncertain world, it is vital that we test our defenses and strengthen our capabilities so that our adversaries know that NATO is ready and able to respond to any threat,” Rutte said in London after meetings with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The exercise will take place against a backdrop of heightened nuclear rhetoric from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has issued multiple warnings since his country launched a war against Ukraine in 2022, Anadolu reports.
Scheduled to begin on Monday, the exercise will involve about 60 aircraft, including F-35A fighter jets and B-52 bombers, from 13 NATO countries.
About 2,000 military personnel will take part in simulated missions involving US nuclear warheads, although no live weapons will be used, NATO officials confirmed.
The two-week exercises will be held in the North Sea area, hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
