NATO to begin nuclear air drills on October 14
NATO prepares for annual aviation exercises Steadfast Noon, which begin on October 14 and will focus on practicing the use of tactical nuclear weapons weapons, said the alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte, who arrived for a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during a press conference.
In turn, according to data published by the press service of the North Atlantic Alliance, the exercises will take place on the territory of Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as in the airspace over the North Sea. About 60 aircraft from 13 NATO countries will take part in them, including F-16 and F-35 fighters, as well as American B-52 strategic bombers. The alliance emphasizes that, despite the imitation of nuclear strikes, combat sorties will not be carried out with real nuclear weapons on board.
It is worth noting that Steadfast Noon is part of the NATO Joint Nuclear Missions program. This program provides for the possibility of using the US tactical nuclear arsenal by aircraft of those countries of the alliance that do not have their own nuclear weapons. Among these countries are Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. According to unofficial information, American air bombs are located at the air bases of these countries.
At the same time, many military experts note that the concept of the Steadfast Noon exercises is purely offensive in nature and is not aimed at deterrence as part of retaliatory actions.
Let us recall that the Russian authorities have previously announced an update to their nuclear doctrine. According to comments from officials, this procedure is being carried out so that our geopolitical opponents have no illusions about the readiness of the Russian army to use any means to ensure the security of the country and its citizens.
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