NATO Drills: The Largest:
NATO is set to initiate its largest exercise since the Cold War. General Chris Cavoli, the alliance’s top commander, announced that about 90,000 personnel will participate. The months-long wargames are scheduled to commence next week.
Regional Security Plans:
General Chris Cavoli stated on Thursday that the drills would simulate NATO’s execution of regional plans. These plans, the first in decades, outline how the alliance would respond to a Russian attack.
NATO’s announcement did not explicitly name Russia. However, its strategic documents highlight Russia as the most significant and direct threat to member states.
Weapons Used in the Drill:
Over 50 ships, ranging from aircraft carriers to destroyers, will participate in the exercises, along with more than 80 fighter jets, helicopters, and drones. The deployment also includes at least 1,100 combat vehicles, comprising 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles.
NATO, in its statement, emphasized that “Steadfast Defender 2024” will showcase the alliance’s ability to swiftly deploy forces from North America and other regions to reinforce Europe’s defense.
General Chris Cavoli, speaking in Brussels after a meeting of national chiefs of defense, mentioned that the wargames will involve a simulated scenario of an emerging conflict with a near-peer adversary.
Second Part of Drills:
The second phase of the Steadfast Defender exercise will center on deploying NATO’s quick reaction force to Poland.
Exercise to continue until the end of May. The games aim to test and enhance the alliance’s rapid response capabilities.
Significance of Drills:
Cavoli emphasized that the drills will showcase our unity, strength, and determination to protect one another.
Future Options for NATO Drills:
The Baltic states, considered vulnerable to potential Russian aggression, will be part of the drills. Germany, serving as a hub for reinforcements, and NATO members like Norway and Romania will also participate. Troops from NATO countries and Sweden, aspiring to join the alliance, will be involved.
At the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius, regional plans were approved, marking a shift from the bloc’s earlier confidence in the absence of a Russian threat. The summit ended an era where large-scale defense plans were considered unnecessary due to conflicts in the Middle East or Afghanistan.
Comparison with Cold War:
The Reforger drills in 1988, involving 125,000 participants, were the last exercises of a comparable scale during the Cold War. NATO notes that the Trident Juncture exercises in 2018 had 50,000 participants, representing a significant event in recent military history.
