On Monday (13 October 2025), NATO began its annual nuclear deterrence exercise Steadfast Noon. The exercise is a long planned, routine training activity and part of NATO's broader efforts to maintain readiness and ensure transparency around its nuclear posture. It is not linked to any current world events, and no live weapons are used.
Announcing the exercise on Friday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said: "We need to do this because it helps us make sure that our nuclear deterrent remains as credible, safe, secure, and effective as possible."
The Netherlands is the host nation for this year's Steadfast Noon. Volkel Air Base will be the primary base of focus for the exercise, with other supporting elements at Kleine-Brogel Air Base in Belgium and Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the UK.
The exercise involves around 70 aircraft from 14 Allied nations, including a mix of conventional and dual‑capable aircraft. Supporting assets include surveillance, air-to-air refuelling, and command‑and‑control aircraft. A large contingent of the conventional support will be operating out of Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark.
U.S. Air Force Colonel Daniel Bunch, Chief of Nuclear Operations at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) said that organising and executing an exercise like Steadfast Noon takes an Allied effort: "All in all we are looking at roughly 2,000 personnel directly supporting this exercise," he said.
Jim Stokes, NATO's Director of Nuclear Policy, said that the exercise is about "promoting transparency when and where appropriate, so that our Allied populations and the wider world have a good understanding of what we are doing."
Participation in Steadfast Noon rotates among Allies each year.
