Steadfast Noon – NATO’s nuclear air exercise in times of tension

NATO has been conducting its annual nuclear deterrence exercise called Steadfast Noon involving up to 60 aircraft from 14 countries. A German Air Force Tornado IDS conducts a low-level sortie over the UK as part of Exercise Steadfast Noon.The long-planned exercise is taking place at a time of heightened tensions with Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine and pronouncements by President Vladimir Putin of his country’s own nuclear capabilities. While Steadfast Noon was taking place in north-western Europe, Russia