NATO Launches Nuclear Exercise

NATO has launched annual maneuvers to practice the protection of the nuclear weapon alliance's territory.

Some 2,000 staff members will be included in the exercises called “Steadfast Noon”, which will be held over the two weeks, the alliance announced on 13 October at the start of the maneuvers.

About 70 planes will be used during the exercises, NATO said, including German combat aircraft capable of carrying American nuclear bombs that are stationed in Europe.

This year's manoeuvres are expected to be developed mainly in airspace over the North Sea. The Dutch air base in Volkel and military bases in Klein Brogel in Belgium, Lakenheath in England and Screydstrup in Denmark are also expected to have significant roles.

NATO says the German Armed Forces have offered three Tornado aircraft, capable of firing American nuclear bombs and four Eurolighters for training.

According to the alliance, these are routine exercises and are not responding to the recent violations of air spaces and other provocations made by Russia. However, maneuvers also aim to convey a clear signal to Moscow that NATO is prepared to defend itself with nuclear weapons, if necessary.

This exercise is needed to ensure that nuclear prevention remains as reliable and effective as possible, the secretary general said last week. NATO, Mark Rutte.

The reason Germany, a country that has no nuclear weapons, is participating in the exercise, relates to NATO's principle of nuclear division.

This principle predicts that in an emergency case, U.S. - type B61 nuclear weapons deployed in Europe can also be dropped off aircraft from partner nations and then used to destroy, for example, enemy forces.

American nuclear weapons are unknown where they are located in Europe. However, there have been reports that such weapons are in northern Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.

NATO has not provided details as to which concrete scenario will be exercised during the maneuvers.

Military experts say the maneuvers, which are conducted regularly in October, include training of safe weapons transport from underground warehouses to aircraft and their assembly under fighter aircraft.

However, only bombs for training without real nuclear heads are used in this and offensive exercises. / REL/Perscopi/