Overview
- NATO reports roughly 10,000 troops, 17 ships and more than 1,500 vehicles from 13 nations participating under the Allied Reaction Force.
- The arrival of around a dozen ships from five countries in Kiel ends the deployment phase and begins the exercise’s ‘hot’ phase.
- Spain’s dock landing ship ESPS Castilla serves as flagship, with the German Navy contributing three vessels and Turkey’s carrier Anadolu present in port.
- NATO officials note the exercise proceeds without direct US participation, highlighting the alliance’s ability to reinforce using European forces.
- Hanover will impose city-center street closures on February 19 from 11:00 to 24:00, with no-parking zones in effect February 18–20 tied to the exercise event.