Why it matters:
The two-week drill, involving over 70 aircraft from 14 nations and roughly 2,000 personnel, is designed to ensure NATO’s readiness to deploy nuclear capabilities if necessary. While no live weapons are used, the exercise is set to sends a clear strategic signal to Moscow amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and repeated Russian airspace incursions.
The big picture:
NATO’s nuclear deterrence relies on U.S. warheads stationed across Europe.
Concerns have surfaced about Washington’s reliability under President Donald Trump, but NATO officials insist the alliance remains solid.
State of play:
A Dutch F-35 fighter jet took off from Volkel Airbase on Tuesday, marking the public start of "Steadfast Noon" 2025, which is focused on the North Sea region.
For the first time, NATO allowed a small group of reporters on site, part of a broader shift away from its historically secretive posture.
Until 2021, NATO didn’t even disclose the name of the exercise.
What they’re saying:
“We’ve long not talked about this, but it’s certainly time that we talked to our publics about it,” said U.S. Air Force Colonel Daniel Bunch, chief of NATO Nuclear Operations.
“This is not sabre-rattling. This is about consistently performing our mission and demonstrating the full range of capabilities the alliance has.”
Jim Stokes, NATO’s Director of Nuclear Policy, emphasized the messaging isn’t “necessarily directed at Russia,” but aimed at reassuring domestic audiences: “We’re a responsible nuclear alliance... transparent as we can be.”
Between the lines:
Despite the new openness, NATO still keeps key elements of the drill under wraps.
Journalists saw Dutch and German jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear payloads take to the skies.
Crews were not permitted to be filmed preparing dummy bombs, and none of the aircraft carried even mock weapons.
“I don’t think anybody should question the American role,” said Colonel Bunch.
Hossein Amiri - ahmad shirzadian
