The militaries of 13 NATO member countries and partners are preparing to participate in the Nordic Response 2024 exercise, which will take place in March as part of the Steadfast Defender series of exercises in Norway, Finland and Sweden.
What is known about NATO's large-scale drills
The exercises will be aimed at working out collective defence measures, and more than 20,000 servicemen will participate. They will be held in the north of Norway, Sweden and Finland, as well as in the air and sea spaces of the countries.
On the ground, thousands of soldiers will practice the defense and security of the countries of Northern Europe with the help of various artillery systems, tanks, tracked vehicles and other ground vehicles. More than 100 fighter jets, transport aircraft, maritime surveillance aircraft, as well as helicopters and special purpose aircraft of the Alliance members will operate in the air. More than 50 submarines, frigates, corvettes, aircraft carriers and various amphibious ships will be deployed at sea. Joint exercises are aimed at the defense and protection of the Northern region.
We must be able to fight back and stop anyone who tries to challenge our borders, values and democracy — with the current security situation in Europe, these exercises are extremely relevant and important than ever before, said the Norwegian Air Operations Center commander of Royal Norwegian Air Force, Brigadier General Throne Strand.
He added that "Nordic Response" exercises have a long history and are held in northern Norway every two years.
Thanks to the accession of Finland to NATO, and later Sweden, we are expanding these exercises to the level of "Nordic Response" with the involvement of other members of the Alliance, said Strand.
What preceded it
The other day, the Polish police warned that much military equipment may be seen on the country's roads as part of the Polish branch of large-scale NATO exercises.
Dragon-24 exercises are taking place in Poland, part of the larger Steadfast Defender maneuvers.
Steadfast Defender is called the largest NATO exercise since 1988.
