Up to 60 planes: NATO launches nuclear exercises in Europe

Training flights will take place in the skies over Belgium, Great Britain and the North Sea.

The North Atlantic Alliance’s Steadfast Noon exercise has begun in Europe, during which the military is practicing the use of nuclear deterrence forces, the UK Defense Journal reported.

The exercise involves 14 countries and up to 60 aircraft of various types, including fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, as well as reconnaissance and refueling planes. They will last until October 30.

The Alliance notes that training flights will take place over Belgium, as well as the North Sea and Britain. No combat weapons are used during the exercises.

This is not the first time these exercises have been conducted. As in past years, they involve American B-52 long-range bombers, this time they will take off 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 said.

Last week, European diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said Russia would face a powerful military response from the Western coalition if it used nuclear weapons in a war with Ukraine. He stressed that in this case NATO would not launch a nuclear strike, but would be able to destroy the entire Russian army with conventional weapons.

According to Borrell, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he was not bluffing when he spoke about defending Russia by all available means, and warned that the West was not bluffing either.

It was also reported that US experts believe it is possible that Belarus could be used as a platform for a Russian nuclear strike on Ukraine.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 17/10/2022