NATO begins its nuclear exercises: 13 countries, 60 aircraft and 2,000 soldiers in the North Sea

nato This Monday he made his debut annual nuclear exercise which will include 13 countries member and 2,000 soldiers in air training north seawith 60 aircraft that can carry nuclear weapons.

In total, 2,000 military personnel are expected to participate at eight air bases and 60 combat aircraft, including nuclear-capable reactors, bombers, escort fighters, refueling aircraft and aircraft with reconnaissance capabilities.

Military exercises will take place in the North Sea airspace denmark And united kingdomexcept for countries bass And belgium Which will act as hosts for the troops participating in the maneuvers.

In any case, the Atlantic Alliance has reported that the maneuvers, which will take place over the next two weeks, They will not include live fire exercises.

Angus Lapsley, NATO Under-Secretary-General for Defense Policy and Planning, explained that the purpose of the operation was to demonstrate the alliance’s ability to counter “any adversaries” in the West, something they “should take extremely seriously”. Needed.” , In that sense, Lapsley noted the emergence of North Korea as well as China and Iran as nuclear powers in recent years, although he highlighted that “Obviously, what worries us most is Russia.”

Last week, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the date for the start of nuclear practices, maintaining that in an “uncertain world”, it is “vital” that NATO tests its defence, and reinforces it. “Our adversaries must know that NATO is ready and able to respond to any threat,” he said before meeting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London.

The Russian government has warned that NATO’s nuclear exercises will only cause harm. “Tension will increase further” At a time of tension in relations between Moscow and the Atlantic Bloc against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

,In the context of the ‘hot war’ being waged within the framework of the Ukrainian conflict, these exercises, of course, only lead to a further increase in tension.“, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said to the press, according to the Russian news agency. TASS,

NATO’s new Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed late last week that the maneuvers – known as ‘Steadfast Noon’ – would begin this Monday with the participation of 60 aircraft. He argued, “In an uncertain world, it is important that we test our defenses.”

Last year, Italy and Croatia hosted exercises in the Mediterranean around the same dates. Then, they had the participation of the 13 Allies and, in particular, American B-52 bombers flying from the United States.

Relations between Moscow and the Atlantic alliance are particularly strained due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, these maneuvers are taking place at a time when Russia has announced a restructuring of its nuclear doctrine, revising and expanding the scenarios in which it will respond to threats with nuclear weapons.

(With information from Europa Press)