“Steadfast Noon”, or atomic deterrence

The exercise script included events related to the transport of bombs, hanging them under aircraft and the flight of "machine carriers" on the indicated route. During specified operations, bombers are covered by multi-tasking aircraft whose tasks are to conduct reconnaissance or destruct enemy anti-aircraft defence positions. Refueling in the air is besides an crucial component of Steadfast Noon. As the military reserves, during the maneuvers, the military does not usage bombs equipped with atomic warheads, but only atraps.

The North Atlantic Alliance has been hosting atomic exercises in Europe for decades, but it is not until last years that NATO has officially begun to inform about them. We advance transparency erstwhile and where possible. We want the people of associate States, as well as another countries in the world, to realize what we are doing and how we are acting," stresses Jim Stokes, NATO's atomic policy director. This attitude besides fits into the allied strategy of deterrence. “This is simply a signal sent to any possible opponent: we can and will defend ourselves against any possible threats,” Mark Rutte points out. He will be seconded by Colonel Martin O'Donnell, spokesperson for the office of the Alliance Armed Forces in Europe (SHAPE). “As long as there is atomic weapons, NATO will be a atomic alliance,” he says. The “Steadfast Noon” organisers, however, agree that the exercises are defensive.

What does Russia say? erstwhile tanks sent by the Kremlin in February 2022 crossed the border with Ukraine, Vladimir Putin in the tv message threatened the West with atomic weapons. Since then, this subject has constantly been reflected in the statements of Russian politicians and the transmission of propaganda there. But now the Alliance is being accused by Moscow of escalation. The Russians are reaching for their hands. The state agency Ria Novosti recalls that Volkel base in the early days of planet War II was built by the occupying Netherlands Nazis. "Then the German Junkers and Messerschmitty ascended from there, and present Eurofighters and F-16" writes the author of the dispatch. And the prokremlian political scientist Dmitri Susło convinces: "In view of the tense atmosphere in Europe, it would be more reasonable to postpone specified exercises." Meanwhile, as the media reports, Russia itself will shortly launch the atomic exercise “Grom”.