Up to 60 planes: NATO begins nuclear exercises in Europe
Training flights will take place in the skies over Belgium, Great Britain and the North Sea.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Steadfast Noon exercise has begun in Europe, during which the military is practicing the use of nuclear deterrent forces, the UK Defense Journal reports. 14 countries and up to 60 aircraft of various types, including fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, as well as reconnaissance aircraft and refueling aircraft, are participating in the exercises. They will continue until October 30.
The Alliance notes that training flights will take place over Belgium, as well as over the North Sea and Great Britain. Combat weapons are not used during exercises.
These exercises are not conducted for the first time. As in previous years, they will be attended by American B-52 long-range bombers, this time taking off from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.
‘These exercises help ensure the safety, reliability and effectiveness of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s nuclear deterrent,’ NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said.
Last week, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, said that Russia faces a powerful military response from the Western coalition if it uses nuclear weapons in the war with Ukraine. He emphasized that in this case, NATO will not launch a nuclear attack, but will be able to destroy the entire Russian army with conventional weapons. According to Borrell, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the fact that he is not bluffing, talking about the protection of the Russian Federation by all available means, and warned that the West is not bluffing either.
It will be recalled that American experts consider it possible to use Belarus as a platform for a Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine.
