NATO is initiating its most extensive military exercise since the Cold War, simulating the deployment of U.S. troops to reinforce European allies in regions bordering Russia and along the alliance’s eastern flank in the event of heightened tensions with a “near-peer” adversary.
The Steadfast Defender-2024 drills, scheduled to run through May, are set to involve around 90,000 troops, as revealed by NATO’s top commander, Chris Cavoli, on Thursday. The exercise will feature over 50 ships, ranging from aircraft carriers to destroyers, along with more than 80 fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and over 1,100 combat vehicles, including 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles.
While NATO did not explicitly mention Russia in its announcement, the alliance’s principal strategic document identifies Russia as the most substantial and direct threat to the security of NATO members. The Steadfast Defender-2024 exercise aims to showcase NATO’s ability to swiftly deploy forces in reinforcing the defense of Europe.
This military exercise, comparable in size to Cold War-era Reforger in 1988 with 125,000 participants and Trident Juncture in 2018 with 50,000 participants, underscores NATO’s commitment to preparedness and regional defense planning in response to potential security challenges.
