NATO Exercise Includes Countries Potentially Hosting Nuclear Weapons, Expert Says

According to Alexander Stepanov, the exercise aims to ensure coordination during strategic operations and mainly involves the air force component.

Moscow, October 13. /TASS/. Alexander Stepanov, a military expert at the Institute of Law and National Security of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), told TASS that the countries that are considered to expand the program of hosting and stockpiling American nuclear weapons in Europe (nuclear sharing) participate in the NATO exercise Steadfast Noon, which is held in Italy.

"Italy is hosting the final phase of the exercise, which will bring together 17 participating nations, including those potentially being considered for the expansion of the nuclear sharing program to deploy nuclear weapons," he said. The expert noted that these countries are mainly located along the eastern flank of NATO - the Baltic States and Finland.

According to Stepanov, the purpose of this exercise is to ensure coordination during strategic operations, which primarily includes the Air Force sector. The expert added: "These maneuvers include 60 aircraft to provide strategic reconnaissance capabilities and cover the main delivery systems as part of a combined scenario of nuclear use in different sectors."

Since October 13, NATO has been conducting nuclear deterrence exercises in Italy without the use of live ammunition. The press service of NATO reported that seventeen countries are participating. The exercise emphasized that "no live weapons will be used in the stable noon. The exercise is not related to current world events and is not conducted against any country."

The Noon exercise is held annually as "part of NATO's efforts to maintain readiness and test methods that contribute to the coalition's deterrence and defense." It includes dual-capable aircraft designed to carry both conventional and nuclear munitions.