NATO to hold nuclear deterrence exercise in Italy without live nuclear weapons

Yesterday 21:21

By: Azzat Manal

NATO to hold nuclear deterrence exercise in Italy without live nuclear weapons

NATO is scheduled to launch its annual Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercise in Italy on October 13, with 17 countries expected to participate. The alliance has confirmed that the drills will not involve the use of live nuclear weapons, describing them as a routine training activity designed to maintain readiness and test established procedures.

According to NATO’s press office, the exercise has been planned well in advance and forms part of the alliance’s broader efforts to preserve its deterrence and defence capabilities. The training is intended to assess the readiness of participating forces and ensure that procedures related to NATO’s nuclear mission remain effective.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance’s defensive posture depended on maintaining a credible deterrence capability. He described the exercises as a way to ensure that NATO’s arrangements remain safe, secure, effective and reliable, adding that the drills demonstrate unity and determination among member states.

The alliance also stressed that Steadfast Noon is not linked to current international developments and is not directed against any particular country. The statement seeks to distinguish the scheduled training from the heightened geopolitical tensions affecting European security.

Nuclear deterrence remains an important element of NATO’s defence strategy. The United States, the United Kingdom and France are the alliance’s three nuclear-armed members, although their nuclear capabilities play different roles within NATO’s overall deterrence framework.

The alliance also maintains a nuclear-sharing arrangement under which US nuclear weapons are deployed in certain European NATO countries. Participating allies contribute to related missions through arrangements that can involve aircraft, personnel and operational training, subject to NATO policies and national requirements. Such exercises help familiarise participating forces with their assigned responsibilities without requiring the use of actual nuclear warheads.

Steadfast Noon is held annually and typically focuses on the procedures and coordination required for the alliance’s nuclear deterrence mission. While the exercise does not involve live nuclear weapons, it provides an opportunity to practise military readiness and cooperation among participating countries.

However, the drills have drawn criticism from Russia. Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, argued that NATO’s actions were provocative and risked pushing Europe towards direct confrontation. His comments reflect Moscow’s broader opposition to the alliance’s military activities near areas of strategic tension.

The exercise comes as European security remains a central concern for NATO members and Russia. NATO presents Steadfast Noon as a long-standing readiness measure, while Russian officials view such activities as contributing to regional tensions, illustrating the persistent divide between the two sides over deterrence and military security.