NATO has announced that it will hold a nuclear exercise in Italy to reduce tensions with Russia, stating that it will pose no threat to Moscow. This exercise, known as "Steadfast Noon," will take place from October 13 to 23 of this year.
Purpose of the exercise and NATO's message
NATO has stated that 17 member countries will participate in this annual exercise. Nasima Barouz, NATO's nuclear policy director, said: "We conduct this exercise every year, and it sends a clear message to countries like Russia that there is no need for concern." She emphasized that this exercise is predictable and there is no reason for miscalculations.
Barouz also clarified that the main goal of this exercise is to train allied forces for readiness and to ensure the security of NATO's nuclear capabilities. She told reporters: "The aim is essentially to train our allied forces to be prepared and on standby and to ensure the security of our nuclear capability."
Tensions and reactions
After previous NATO exercises, Moscow sent a letter to the alliance threatening that it might attack areas under allied control and hinted at the use of its nuclear arsenal. This threat was strongly rejected last week by Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's Secretary General.
Tensions are rising as European countries accuse Russia of conducting sabotage and hybrid attacks across the continent. A senior NATO official, who requested anonymity, said: "Our goal is really to maintain calm." He added that Russian officials are continuously escalating the atmosphere of tension, and NATO will continue its efforts to de-escalate this situation.
David Bull, a U.S. Army Colonel and head of NATO's nuclear operations, announced that this exercise will be conducted with similar participation as in previous years and will include everything from "simulated sirens to live flight exercises," but "no live nuclear weapons" will be used. The exercise will also involve dual aircraft and ground forces that will assist in supporting the exercise and training in loading, refueling, and maintaining the aircraft.
The Russian embassy in Belgium did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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