NATO nuclear force exercises begin today and will last until October 30, the alliance said. The exercises are regular, take place every year, and have no direct connection with the events around the war in Ukraine, explained last week by the secretary general of the pact, Jens Stoltenberg.
This year’s host country will be Belgium, and 60 aircraft from 14 countries will take part in the joint action. Fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets, B-52 bombers, and tanker aircraft will be involved. Only mock-ups of nuclear weapons will be used in the exercises, NATO said.
It is planned to fly over Belgium, the North Sea, and the UK from a base located in the vicinity of Brussels. The purpose of the exercises is to test the readiness of nuclear forces for deterrence.