NATO preparing largest military exercise since Cold War – FT

NATO is preparing for a joint command and staff exercise in 2024, its largest one since the end of the Cold War, involving over 40,000 troops.

Source: European Pravda, citing the FT

Details: The exercise seeks to practise the Alliance's response to Russian aggression against one of its members.

The Steadfast Defender exercise is reportedly part of NATO's operational transition from crisis response to combat operations, in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The manoeuvres are expected to begin next spring and will involve 500 to 700 aircraft, over 50 ships and around 41,000 troops. They will take place in Germany, Poland and the Baltic States.

The Russian-led coalition is referred to as Occasus for the purposes of the exercise.

Sweden, whose application for NATO membership has not yet been ratified by Türkiye and Hungary, will also participate in the exercise.

The manoeuvres are part of a new training strategy that will see NATO conduct two major exercises yearly instead of one. The Alliance will also train to counter terrorist threats beyond its immediate borders.

NATO officials say the exercise is also seen as a critical part of sending a message to Moscow that the Alliance is ready to fight.

Background: It was reported earlier that NATO Allies were launching a major maritime exercise, North Coast, off the coasts of Latvia and Estonia.

Christian Kaack, German Navy Commander-in-Chief, stated that these military exercises would be the first time they would practise responding to a potential Russian attack.

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