NATO kicked off its annual nuclear deterrence exercise, Steadfast Noon, on Monday, October 13, with operations centered in the Netherlands and extending across several key air bases in Europe.
The exercise, involving 14 Allied nations and approximately 70 aircraft, is described by NATO as a long-planned, routine training event designed to ensure the credibility and safety of the Alliance’s nuclear posture.
According to a press release from NATO, the exercise is not connected to any current global events and does not involve live nuclear weapons. It falls under the Alliance’s regular schedule of training operations and is intended to support readiness and promote transparency regarding NATO’s nuclear doctrine.
“We need to do this because it helps us make sure that our nuclear deterrent remains as credible, safe, secure, and effective as possible,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in remarks released Friday ahead of the exercise.
This year’s host nation is the Netherlands, with Volkel Air Base serving as the primary location. Additional operations are being conducted out of Kleine-Brogel Air Base in Belgium and Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. A substantial portion of the conventional support aircraft, including refueling and surveillance platforms, are operating from Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark.
The exercise includes a mix of conventional and dual-capable aircraft, as well as command-and-control and aerial refueling assets. The participating airframes are drawn from a wide range of Allied air forces, showcasing NATO’s ability to integrate complex multinational capabilities under nuclear deterrence scenarios.
U.S. Air Force Colonel Daniel Bunch, Chief of Nuclear Operations at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), emphasized the level of coordination required to conduct the event. “All in all we are looking at roughly 2,000 personnel directly supporting this exercise,” he said.
In a separate statement, Jim Stokes, NATO’s Director of Nuclear Policy, pointed to the broader communication goals tied to the exercise. “This is about promoting transparency when and where appropriate, so that our Allied populations and the wider world have a good understanding of what we are doing,” he said.
Participation in Steadfast Noon rotates each year among Allied countries. By moving hosting duties and involving different national assets annually, the Alliance aims to maintain both operational familiarity and political cohesion across its nuclear planning framework.
Though NATO has repeatedly stated that the exercise is unrelated to any specific international incident, it comes at a time of heightened rhetoric from nuclear powers, including Russia, where officials have made frequent references to nuclear capabilities amid ongoing war in Ukraine.