NATO nuclear deterrence exercises begin in Italy

NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise Steadfast Noon kicks off in Italy on Tuesday and will last a week.

As part of the exercises, the alliance is practicing nuclear deterrence procedures with the participation of aviation, including dual-purpose aircraft.

This year, 17 countries will be involved in the exercises, which is a record number for the entire history of the exercises.

BRUSSELS, Oct 13 - RIA Novosti. NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise Steadfast Noon kicks off in Italy on Tuesday and will last a week.

As part of annual maneuvers, the alliance practices nuclear deterrence procedures with the participation of aviation, including dual-purpose aircraft capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.

17 countries will be involved in their testing this year, this is a record number for the entire period of their holding. In 2025 there were 14, and in 2024 - 13.

Relatively recently joined members of the organization - Finland and Sweden - have already confirmed their participation. Armed forces personnel will be sent from the Nordic countries, and Sweden will also supply the JAS 39 Gripen fighter.

In addition, Romania sent F-16 fighters to Italy, and Germany contributed three Tornado fighters. As the Italian publication Sole 24 ore previously reported, Turkey and the United States are planned to participate. There will be flight crews and technical personnel from Washington. France will be absent from the exercise because Paris refused to join NATO's nuclear planning group.

The alliance separately noted that the exercises were planned in advance, are not related to current events in the world and are not directed against any country. According to the Italian Air Force, real weapons will not be used during the exercise.

The maneuvers will take place near air bases in the cities of Aviano and Ghedi in northern Italy, as well as in other areas within the alliance's area of ​​responsibility well beyond the north of the country, according to Sole 24 ore. During the previous Steadfast Noon exercise in Italy (2023), alliance aircraft flew over Italy, Croatia and the Mediterranean Sea.

The scale is comparable to previous exercises, the alliance said. Last year they took place in the Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain and Denmark. About 70 aircraft and more than 2 thousand military personnel took part.

Commenting on the planned exercises, the Russian embassy in Belgium said that these exercises do not help reduce tensions in Europe, despite statements by NATO officials that there is no threat to Moscow.

The diplomatic mission noted that Russia takes into account the statements of NATO officials that the exercises are regular and do not pose a threat to Russia.