Overview
- NATO announced that Steadfast Noon will run Oct. 13–23 in Italy with participation from 17 allies as a routine annual readiness exercise.
- Alliance officials said the drill will include simulated alerts and live flight training but will not use live nuclear warheads.
- The announcement follows recent Russian warnings that Moscow would be prepared to use its full arsenal to defend Kaliningrad, a heavily militarized exclave between Poland and Lithuania.
- NATO leaders publicly rebuked Russia’s rhetoric, said they are trying to calm tensions, and reported no major changes in observed Russian military posture.
- Steadfast Noon is a long‑running exercise that trains dual‑capable aircraft and supporting ground crews, and NATO says the drill is intended to reassure allies while reducing the chance of dangerous miscalculation.