NATO stages nuclear drills amid heightened tensions with Russia
NATO begins the Steadfast Noon exercises, which include the simulation of using nuclear weapons. The Alliance is demonstrating its strength in response to Putin's threats by deploying over 60 various types of aircraft across Europe.
On Monday, October 14, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, NATO's Steadfast Noon exercises commence and will continue for the next two weeks. Over 60 aircraft will take part in the maneuvers, all appearing over Western Europe, where they will be trained in the use of nuclear weapons. It's important to note that none of the aircraft will be armed; fighters and other planes will simulate carrying this type of ammunition.
NATO flexes muscles before Russia
"Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of the Alliance's security," stated NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. According to NATO's official website, Steadfast Noon is an important test of the Alliance's nuclear deterrence and a clear signal to any adversary that NATO intends to protect and defend all Allies.
The exercises are held routinely as a cyclical training activity, reassures NATO in a statement. As part of Steadfast Noon, over 2,000 soldiers from eight air bases will conduct exercises in various types of aircraft: bombers, fighters, tankers, as well as reconnaissance and electronic warfare machines.
The plan indicates that this year's exercises will primarily include flights over Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the North Sea. NATO does not list the airspace over Poland. The first F-35A fighters from the Netherlands, expected to be ready for nuclear roles in 2024, will participate in the ongoing maneuvers.
Key NATO aircraft in the sky
The F-35A, a single-seat fighter with a length of nearly 16 metres, a height of 4 metres, and a wingspan of about 11 metres, features stealth technology, making it difficult for enemies to detect. The F-35A can carry various types of armament, including AIM-120C-5 and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, AGM-154C JSOW air-to-ground missiles, as well as Paveway or JDAM guided bombs. An important advantage of the F-35A is its range of weaponry.
These fighters, however, are not the only valuable aircraft in NATO's arsenal. Other noteworthy designs include the Boeing E-3, the American early warning and airspace surveillance system based on the Boeing 707. Compared to the original, it features a large radar station mounted on the fuselage, enabling air reconnaissance within a radius of over 400 kilometres. The radar of this system has a viewing range exceeding 310,000 square kilometres.
NATO also ensures air dominance with the Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, which are structurally similar to the F-35. These machines can reach speeds up to Mach 2 (about 2,200 kilometres per hour) and operate at altitudes exceeding 18,300 metres, enabling them to effectively compete with fighters used by Russia. The equipment of these fighters includes a Mauser BK-27 cannon of 27 mm calibre, anti-ship missiles like the AGM-84, anti-radar missiles AGM-88 HARM, as well as anti-aircraft AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
