Sixty aircraft taking part in Nato’s annual Steadfast Noon exercise

Nato is beginning its annual nuclear exercise Steadfast Noon on October 14, with more than 60 aircraft taking part in training flights over western Europe.

Steadfast Noon runs for two weeks and involves fighter jets capable of carrying US nuclear warheads, but does not involve any live weapons.

“Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of Allied security,” Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said, according to a media statement by the Alliance.

“Steadfast Noon is an important test of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent and sends a clear message to any adversary that Nato will protect and defend all Allies.”

Nato’s nuclear exercise is a routine and recurring training activity that happens every October.

Steadfast Noon involves 2000 military personnel from eight airbases and a variety of aircraft types, including nuclear-capable jets, bombers, fighter escorts, refuelling aircraft and planes capable of reconnaissance and electronic warfare.

This year’s exercise involves flights mainly over host countries Belgium and the Netherlands and in airspace over Denmark, the United Kingdom and the North Sea.

Planning for the exercise began a year ago and 13 Allies are sending aircraft to take part in the drills.

Nato is taking steps to ensure the safety, security, effectiveness and credibility of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent, the statement said.

For example, this year, the first Allied F-35A fighter aircraft from the Netherlands were declared ready to perform nuclear roles.

Nato’s Washington Summit declaration makes clear that “the fundamental purpose of Nato’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression”.

It says that “as long as nuclear weapons exist, Nato will remain a nuclear alliance.”

(Photo: Dutch Air Force)