MADRID, 17 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The armies of fourteen NATO member states begin their annual nuclear deterrence exercises starting this Monday, “a routine training activity” that this time will take place over northwestern Europe and will last until 30 December. october.
These maneuvers, known as Steadfast Noon, are organized each year by one of the Alliance States, this time Belgium. With these exercises, in which real weapons are not used, the aim is to guarantee “that the nuclear deterrent remains safe and effective,” explained NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu.
On this occasion, some 60 aircraft, including fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, as well as American B-52 long-range bombers, will take part in these maneuvers that will take place over Belgium, the North Sea and the United Kingdom.
“The fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression”, remarked Lungescu, who pointed out that “as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will continue to be a nuclear alliance”, although the The goal, he insists, is “to create the security environment for a world without nuclear weapons.”