Steadfast Noon 2025

Steadfast Noon is NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise, and for 2025, it will be hosted by the Netherlands.

Key Details of Steadfast Noon 2025:

1. Location and Hosts:

   • The main site for the exercise will be Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands.

   • Additional bases will be involved in the exercise, including those in Kleine Brogel (Belgium), Lakenheath (UK), and Skrydstrup (Denmark).

2. Participants:

   • Around 70 aircraft from 14 NATO member nations will participate.

   • Participating countries include Finland, Poland, the United States, and Germany, among others.

3. Dual-Capable Aircraft:

   • The exercise will feature dual-capable aircraft: aircraft that are capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.

   • Aircraft like Germany’s Tornado, and American and Dutch F-35 jets are among those involved.

4. No Live Nuclear Weapons:

   • While the exercise is meant to simulate nuclear operations, no actual nuclear weapons will be used.

   • Aircraft involved are certified for nuclear missions, but no warheads will be loaded or flown during the exercise.

5. Exclusion of France:

   • France is not participating in Steadfast Noon, as the country maintains its nuclear forces separate from NATO's command-and-control structure and decision-making process.

Purpose and Significance:

• NATO's Nuclear Deterrence: The primary objective of Steadfast Noon is to test and demonstrate NATO's nuclear deterrence capabilities, ensuring that the alliance remains prepared to respond to potential nuclear threats.

• Operational Readiness: The exercise is designed to evaluate the readiness of NATO's nuclear forces, focusing on coordination, interoperability, and the capabilities of both conventional and dual-capable aircraft.

• Political Implications: While it is a routine exercise, Steadfast Noon has significant political implications as it reinforces NATO’s commitment to nuclear deterrence and its readiness to respond to nuclear threats.