2025 for January 1970

NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise, Steadfast Noon, will be hosted by the Netherlands this year.

It is an annual nuclear exercise by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
It is an important test for the alliance's nuclear deterrent.
It is hosted by a different NATO country each year.
The 2025 edition of the exercise is being hosted by the Netherlands, with Volkel Air Base serving as the main operating site.
- Bases at Kleine Brogel in Belgium, Lakenheath in Britain, and Skrydstrup in Denmark will also be involved.
- Those nations, as well as Finland, Poland, the United States, and Germany, are among the participants.
- It will involve around 70 aircraft from 14 allied nations, including both conventional and dual-capable aircraft.
  - Dual-capable aircraft refers to aircraft that can deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons, which includes Germany’s Tornado, as well as the American and Dutch F-35 jets.
- The exercise won’t use any actual nuclear weapons.
- Pilots and aircraft involved in the exercise are certified for the nuclear mission, but no weapons are loaded or flown.
- France isn’t participating in the exercise, as the country keeps its nuclear forces separate from NATO’s command-and-control structure and decision-making process.

Source: THBL

Steadfast Noon FAQ's

Q1: What is the Steadfast Noon exercise?

Ans: It is an annual nuclear exercise by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

Q2: Which country is hosting the 2025 edition of the Steadfast Noon exercise?

Ans: Netherlands

Q3: How many aircraft and allied nations are participating in Steadfast Noon 2025?

Ans: 70 aircraft from 14 nations

Q4: Why does France not participate in Steadfast Noon?

Ans: France keeps its nuclear forces separate from NATO’s command-and-control structure and decision-making process.