Thirteen NATO countries will practice dropping nuclear weapons from F16s over Belgium and Great Britain next week. The Netherlands also participates in the exercise, which is held every year but this time receives extra attention due to the war in Ukraine and the nuclear threat from Vladimir Putin.
The focal point of the exercise is the Kleine Brogel Air Force Base, not far from the border at Brabant and Limburg. The aircraft may also partly fly over Limburg, although the Belgian Ministry of Defense cannot confirm this yet. They also fly over the North Sea.
The Belgian nuclear weapons are stored at Kleine Brogel. During the exercise, all facets are discussed: from transport to loading and discharging the nuclear warheads. The technicians in the underground storage bunkers also train.
The exercise, called Steadfast Noon, takes place annually in a NATO area. “It is a routine training that takes place every year to keep our nuclear deterrent safe, secure and effective,” said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. Canceling the exercise has not been considered as the threat from Russia becomes more serious. “Russia knows that a nuclear war can never be won and can never be fought,” Stoltenberg said.
The Netherlands handles the exercise as it does every year. “This is no different for us. It’s just an annual training,” says Major Wilko ter Horst.
“It would send the wrong signal to cancel a long-planned routine training now because of the war in Ukraine,” the NATO chief said.
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