Sweden Joins NATO’s Steadfast Noon Nuclear Deterrence Exercise
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization started its annual Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercise on October 13, with the alliance’s newest member, Sweden, joining the exercise for the first time.
No live weapons will be used during the exercise that will run through October 23, with the alliance stressing that the long-planned exercise is not linked to any current world events.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the exercise on October 10, saying during a video address recorded during a September visit to Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands that “it’s a yearly training and it is regular, and we need to do this because it helps us make sure that our nuclear deterrent remains as credible, safe, secure, and effective as possible”.
Also on October 10, Swedish defense minister Pål Jonson confirmed that the Swedish Air Force would be participating in the exercise, with a deployment of JAS 39 Gripens that will conduct conventional missions.
Finnish F/A-18 Hornets are also participating in the exercise, with Finland’s defense ministry stating Finnish participation in the exercise would increase understanding and experience of NATO’s nuclear operations.
The Netherlands is the host nation for this year’s edition of the exercise, with Volkel Air Base the “primary base of focus”. Kleine-Brogel Air Base in Belgium and Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the United Kingdom will also be used by aircraft during the exercise.
According to NATO, a total of 14 allied nations will contribute around 70 aircraft, with both conventional and “dual-capable” aircraft capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons present. These aircraft are supported by surveillance, air-to-air refuelling, and command‑and‑control aircraft, with a large contingent of the support aircraft operating out of Skyrdstrup Air Base in Denmark.
Jim Stokes, NATO’s Director of Nuclear Policy, said this year’s edition of the exercise would be “promoting transparency when and where appropriate, so that our Allied populations and the wider world have a good understanding of what we are doing.”