Brussels, 16 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) - NATO has begun its annual military drills involving nuclear weapons, a spokesman for the Western defence alliance confirmed to dpa on Monday.

Up to 60 aircraft will be involved in the "Steadfast Noon" exercise, which lasts until Thursday next week. The craft involved include modern fighter jets, but also surveillance and tanker aircraft as well as long-range B-52 bombers.

This year, the manoeuvres are taking place mainly in the airspace over Italy, Croatia and the Mediterranean.

A total of 13 alliance members, including Germany, are taking part.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said last week that Russia's war against Ukraine was a reminder of the important role of nuclear weapons for deterrence.

Although it is a routine training exercise, "Steadfast Noon" will help to ensure the credibility, effectiveness and security of nuclear deterrence, he said.

NATO did not release any details about the exercise and the scenario that it involves.

According to military experts, the manoeuvres are used to practice how to safely transport US nuclear weapons on European soil from underground storage sites to the aircraft and mount them under the fighter jets. The training flights then take place without the bombs.

NATO's nuclear-sharing agreement provides for US nuclear weapons to be stationed in Europe and to be dropped from aircraft of partner states in the event of an emergency.

Although it has not been officially confirmed, US nuclear weapons are known to be stored in northern Italy, Turkey, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

Photo: NATO archive