NATO nuclear exercises begin in Netherlands

Amsterdam: NATO's annual Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercise kicked off in the Netherlands on Monday, with the participation of 71 aircrafts from 14 NATO member states.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the exercises send a clear message to any potential adversary that NATO will protect and defend all allies against all threats.

Rutte added that NATO needs to do these exercises to help ensure that its nuclear deterrence remains as reliable, secure, and effective as possible.

NATO announced that bases at Kleine Brogel in Belgium, Lakenheath in the UK, and Skrydstrup in Denmark will also participate. NATO explained that the exercises do not use nuclear weapons but simulate scenarios in which they could be used.

Steadfast Noon is NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise, in which aircraft and personnel are trained without the use of actual nuclear weapons.