The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has begun its annual nuclear deterrence exercise known as “Steadfast Noon,” a routine and pre-scheduled training aimed at maintaining the alliance’s readiness and ensuring transparency in its nuclear policies.

The alliance stated in a release that the exercises are not linked to any current political or security developments, and no live weapons are used during the drills.

Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, during his visit to Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands, which is hosting this year’s exercises, said: “We need to conduct these trainings because they ensure that our nuclear deterrence remains as reliable, safe, protected, and effective as possible.”

The Netherlands is the main host country for “Steadfast Noon 2025,” with operations focused at Volkel Air Base, alongside supporting elements at Kleine Brogel Air Base in Belgium and RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.

About 70 aircraft from 14 allied countries participate in the exercises, including a mix of conventional planes and those capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Supporting assets include reconnaissance aircraft, aerial refueling tankers, and command and control planes, with a large support force operating from Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark.

Colonel Daniel Bantsch, Head of Nuclear Weapons Operations at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), said organizing and executing an exercise of this scale requires extensive cooperation among allies, adding: “Overall, about 2,000 personnel are directly involved in supporting these exercises.”

Jim Stokes, NATO’s Director of Nuclear Policy, explained that the purpose of these drills is to enhance transparency when appropriate, so that the peoples of member states and the world have a clear understanding of the alliance’s activities.

It is noted that participation in the “Steadfast Noon” exercises rotates annually among NATO member states, reflecting the collective nature of the alliance’s nuclear deterrence policy.