Warning for Russia: NATO shows its tactical nuclear capabilities
Steadfast Noon training is one of the main events in the NATO calendar, which is becoming even more relevant today against the background of constant nuclear threats to Russia and NATO through Ukraine. In the period of exacerbation of tension in relations with Russia, NATO reveals its tactical nuclear potential. As for the aircraft involved in the operation, NATO is involved in the most powerful platforms.
In particular, strategic bombers B-52 StratoFortress and F-16 F-16 Fighting Falcon, Jas 39 Gripen, F/A-18 Super Hornet, Tornado, Eurofight Typhoon, F-15e Eagle take part in the exercises. . Some of these fighters have nuclear ammunition, that is, they have certification and equipment for nuclear warheads. For other fighters, they perform the functions of accompaniment.
Belgium, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, the USA, Finland and the Czech Republic are involved in Steadfast Noon. "Nuclear restraint is the cornerstone of the Allied Security," said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in a press release. "Steadfast Noon is a key component of the Alliance's nuclear deterrent to any enemy that will protect and defend all allies.
" This year, Steadfast Noon training is conducted in Belgium and the Netherlands. Training missions will also be held over Denmark, the United Kingdom and the North Sea. NATO countries that take training in their territory have invested time and money in the modernization of their airbaz, which will be based on aircraft with nuclear warheads. There are special repositories and bunkers that store nuclear warheads.
When the time comes, the warheads will be pulled out and placed in bombs or rockets before they go to flight. Tactical nuclear ammunition has scaled power, that is, the operator can choose what force the nuclear explosion he needs. Although only a few aircraft from those involved in the training are marked as nuclear, any aircraft can be launched by nuclear ammunition as needed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently announced a change in the nuclear doctrine of his country.
The Russian leader stressed that Moscow will consider nuclear provocation an attack on its territory of the country with a weapon provided by a third country, which is also a nuclear state. "NATO is taking steps to ensure the safety, reliability, efficiency and trust in the forces of nuclear restraint of the Alliance. For example, this year, the first F-35A Union fighters from the Netherlands have been declared ready for nuclear tasks," NATO said.
The NATO Washington Declaration clearly states that "the main purpose of NATO nuclear potential is to preserve peace, prevent violence and restrain aggression. " It says that "until there is a nuclear weapon, NATO will remain the nuclear alliance," the Transatlantic Alliance added.