NATO's Biggest Over Decades Signal Clear to Russia

For test “The Western military alliance NATO will activate about 90,000 forces. Germany Plays an Important Role

Declared goal of NATO exercise “SteadfastDefender” Which means “solid protection” It's a demonstration of power towards Russia. Western allies want through timely maneuvering on NATO's east wing to show that they are able to react quickly and vigorously. According to the alliance's latest data for this in February, a total of over 90,000 forces will be activated. So far, it was about 40,000 participants.

According to NATO Forces Europe Commander Christopher Cavoli, this is the largest defence alliance exercise in decades. During this maneuver, training will take place mainly for the alarm and shift of national and multinational troops.

We are preparing for a conflict with Russia and terrorist groups”, the chairman of NATO's military commission, the Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, said after two-day consultations at NATO's central quartier in Brussels. If they attack us, we must be ready. ”

In such a case, Article 5 of the so-called Article Treaty would be put into effect in the case of solidarity in the alliance. This article regulates obligations for support in the alliance against allied countries and stipulates that an armed attack on one or several NATO member states is seen as an attack aimed at the entire alliance. The declaration of this exercise comes four weeks before the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

Important Role for the German Army, Bundeswehr

The military exercise takes part in 31 member states and Sweden as a candidate country for membership. Code “training space Steadfast Defender” extends from Norway to Romania. A significant contribution to it will be made by the German Army Bundeswehr. Among other things, it will participate in a broad maneuver in four appointed stages “Quadria 2024”.

During the maneuvering until the end of May, more than 12,000 soldiers will be equipped for rapid shift of NATO forces to the east wing. Middle of May, for example. The 10th Group of tanks and various roads soldiers with military vehicles will be displaced to Lithuania, where through simulations they will enable operational capacity in combat. Lithuania as a NATO member because of its geographic position feels threatened by Russia.

NATO's Largest Manuture for Decades

So far, the most volumeful NATO exercise since the end of the Cold War has been organised in 2018 in Norway. Some 51,000 soldiers participated in the “Trust Juncture”. NATO innovations larger than the current exercise planned so far have been held before the Soviet Union's breakup in 1991. Then, among other things, the series of maneuvers “Turns out of Forces to German” was developed. Some 125,000 soldiers attended it in 1988. /dw