NATO's Steadfast Noon Nuclear Deterrence Exercise Under Way in Italy With Some 70 Aircraft From 17 Nations
ROME — NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise, Steadfast Noon, is under way in Italy, according to the alliance. The exercise began on October 13 and runs until October 23, involving some 70 aircraft and more than 2,000 personnel from 17 allied nations, with Italy as this year's host.
NATO says the exercise is a routine training activity not linked to any current world events; no live nuclear weapons are used, and participating aircraft practise the procedures associated with the deterrence mission. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said at the start of the exercise that Steadfast Noon is an important test of the alliance's credible deterrence.
Aircraft taking part include F-35 jets of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The Dutch F-35 fleet, based at Leeuwarden and Volkel, is the first dual-capable aircraft fleet in Europe to be certified for the nuclear role.
Steadfast Noon is held every year and hosted in rotation by European allies to test the procedures and interoperability behind NATO's nuclear deterrence mission.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 荷兰皇家空军F-35战斗机（资料照片）。照片：Wikimedia Commons（CC BY-SA 4.0）。Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 jets (file photo). Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
