NATO to Conduct Largest Military Exercises Since the Cold War with 32 Countries

The North Atlantic Alliance is organizing its largest collective defence military exercises since the 'Cold War' of 1989. The exercises, codenamed 'Steadfast Defender,' are set to commence in spring 2024. It is anticipated that up to 700 aerial combat missions, over 50 ships, and approximately 40,000 military personnel will participate.

This announcement was made by the highest military leadership of NATO, Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the Military Committee, and General Eirik Kristoffersen, Chief of Defence of Norway, following a meeting of the Military Committee Chiefs of Defence during a joint press conference in Oslo, Norway.

The exercises will take place in Germany, Poland, and the Baltic countries in February and March and are part of a new training strategy in which the military alliance will conduct two major exercises each year instead of one.

Sweden, whose NATO membership application has not yet been ratified by Turkey and Hungary, will also participate in the exercises. This brings the total number of participating countries to 32.

"As we have seen in Ukraine, war is an event for the entire society. Therefore, preventing war through resilience and deterrence... must also be an event for the entire society," said Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.

He expressed boundless respect and admiration for the Ukrainian "brothers and sisters in uniform."

"We are doing everything in our power to support Ukrainians in their legitimate demands for freedom and sovereignty. Every day, the Armed Forces of Ukraine strengthen their position on the battlefield. Every success is another step towards victory," added Bauer.

At the Vilnius Summit, NATO member countries approved a new Defence Production Action Plan to accelerate joint procurement, increase production capacity, and enhance the operational interoperability of Alliance members. Participants also agreed on new regional defence plans and the establishment of so-called NATO Response Force, multinational forces capable of responding quickly to threats.

In June of last year, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the alliance would increase the number of high readiness forces from 40,000 to 'significantly more than 300,000.'

The joint exercises are also seen as a key part of demonstrating to Russia that the alliance is prepared for war, according to NATO representatives.