NATO launched its annual Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercise in Italy on October 13, bringing together forces from 17 member states. Retired Russian Colonel and military analyst Mikhail Khodarenok explained what the drills involve and why Moscow views them with concern.

According to NATO’s official documents, Steadfast Noon is designed to assess the readiness of the alliance’s nuclear forces and rehearse essential operational procedures. NATO officials maintain that the exercise is routine, unrelated to current international developments and not directed against any particular country. No live nuclear weapons are used.

Khodarenok explained that the maneuvers focus on procedures for deploying American B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs using Tornado and F-35 multirole fighter aircraft.

Germany has deployed three Tornado jets from its 33rd Tactical Air Wing to Aviano Air Base in Italy for the exercise.

American nuclear weapons are stationed across Europe under NATO’s Nuclear Sharing program. Dedicated storage facilities are located at Italy’s Aviano and Ghedi air bases, as well as in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Turkey.

According to Khodarenok, participating forces rehearse the entire sequence of handling nuclear aviation bombs. This includes removing weapons from storage, securing and transporting them, mounting them on aircraft, simulating warhead activation procedures and conducting simulated strikes.

Full-size, weight-equivalent training models are used instead of actual nuclear munitions.

The military analyst also highlighted the limited role played by most of the 17 participating NATO countries. American nuclear weapons remain exclusively under US control, while aircraft belonging to other alliance members primarily serve as potential delivery platforms. Even among participating nations, not all aircraft are capable of carrying out such missions.

Khodarenok noted that neither France’s nor Britain’s nuclear forces participate in Steadfast Noon. The United States also excludes its strategic bombers, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles from the maneuvers.

As a result, the exercise does not constitute a comprehensive test of NATO’s strategic nuclear command and control system.

The expert explained that full-scale strategic nuclear exercises typically involve a country’s senior political and military leadership and include verifying the transmission of orders throughout the entire command structure, down to the units directly responsible for operating nuclear weapons.

Nevertheless, Khodarenok warned against underestimating the significance of Steadfast Noon.

Despite its limited scope, the exercise rehearses the complete sequence of preparations for a nuclear strike, with participating forces practicing the individual procedures involved in the potential use of nuclear weapons.

The analyst also recalled that Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern over NATO’s nuclear exercises.

Russia’s objections center on the deployment of American tactical nuclear weapons in European countries and the practical rehearsal of procedures associated with their potential combat use.