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<p>The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will launch its biggest military exercises in decades from next week, top officials said in a press conference on Thursday (Jan 18). According to NATO, the exercises - dubbed Steadfast Defender 24 - will show that the inter-governmental military alliance can conduct and sustain complex multi-domain operations over several months, across thousands of kilometres, from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe.</p>

<p>Troops will be moving to and through Europe until the end of May. Speaking to reporters, US General Christopher Cavoli said, “The alliance will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic area via transatlantic movement of forces from North America.” Cavoli added that the alliance would also demonstrate our unity, our strength, and our determination to protect each other."</p>

<h2><strong>90,000 personnel to take part in war games</strong></h2>

<p>According to NATO officials, around 90,000 military personnel (of the alliance's member states) will take part in the months-long exercises. The wargames are aimed at showing that NATO can defend all of its territory up to its border with Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-claims-russian-missile-briefly-entered-its-airspace-674789">NATO member Poland claims Russian missile briefly entered its airspace</a></strong></p>

<p>NATO is not directly involved in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, except by supplying Kyiv with non-lethal support. However, many member states of the alliance, including the United States, have been sending weapons and ammunition, and providing military training.</p>

<p>According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, NATO had beefed up security on its eastern flank with Russia and Ukraine&nbsp;before the war started in Feb 2022. Steadfast Defender 24 is meant to deter Russia from targeting a NATO member.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;NATO's biggest military exercise: Know who will participate, major locations</strong></p>

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<p>In Thursday's press conference, the chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer said, "It's a record number of troops that we can bring to bear and have an exercise within that size, across the alliance, across the ocean from the US to Europe."</p>

<p>Sweden, which is expected to join the alliance this year, will also take part.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will launch its biggest military exercises in decades from next week, top officials said in a press conference on Thursday (Jan 18).

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will launch its biggest military exercises in decades from next week, top officials said in a press conference on Thursday (Jan 18). According to NATO, the exercises - dubbed Steadfast Defender 24 - will show that the inter-governmental military alliance can conduct and sustain complex multi-domain operations over several months, across thousands of kilometres, from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe. Troops will be moving to and through Europe until the end of May. Speaking to reporters, US General Christopher Cavoli said, “The alliance will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic area via transatlantic movement of forces from North America.” Cavoli added that the alliance would also demonstrate our unity, our strength, and our determination to protect each other." 90,000 personnel to take part in war games According to NATO officials, around 90,000 military personnel (of the alliance's member states) will take part in the months-long exercises. The wargames are aimed at showing that NATO can defend all of its territory up to its border with Russia. Also read: NATO member Poland claims Russian missile briefly entered its airspace NATO is not directly involved in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, except by supplying Kyiv with non-lethal support. However, many member states of the alliance, including the United States, have been sending weapons and ammunition, and providing military training. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, NATO had beefed up security on its eastern flank with Russia and Ukraine before the war started in Feb 2022. Steadfast Defender 24 is meant to deter Russia from targeting a NATO member. Also watch | NATO's biggest military exercise: Know who will participate, major locations × In Thursday's press conference, the chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer said, "It's a record number of troops that we can bring to bear and have an exercise within that size, across the alliance, across the ocean from the US to Europe." Sweden, which is expected to join the alliance this year, will also take part. (With inputs from agencies)

NAṬO to launch its biggest military exercises in decades

<p>The British defence ministry said on Monday (Jan 15) that the United Kingdom will commit 20,000 military personnel to serve across Europe in one of NATO's largest military exercises since the Cold War.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Grant Shapps, the UK's defence secretary, will announce the deployment of army, naval, and RAF personnel to the 31-nation drill throughout Europe.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The excerpts of the speech, due to be delivered later on Monday at Lancaster House, were published by the defence ministry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It revealed that the deployment includes 16,000 British army troops who will be based in Eastern Europe from February to June.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It also includes an aircraft carrier strike group and F35B Lightning attack jets and surveillance planes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-claims-it-shot-down-anti-ship-cruise-missile-from-houthi-area-of-yemen-targeting-uss-laboon-679991">US claims it shot down anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi area of Yemen targeting USS Laboon</a></strong></p>

<p>"I can announce today that the UK will be sending some 20,000 personnel to take part in one of NATO's largest deployments since the end of the Cold War," Shapps will say according to the excerpts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NATO increased the number of combat-ready forces after Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to invade Ukraine about two years ago. The nation has continued to provide military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Kyiv.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It will see our military joining forces with counterparts from 30 NATO countries plus Sweden, providing vital reassurance against the Putin menace," Shapps said about the exercise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed last week that Britain will enhance its help for Ukraine to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.19 billion) in the coming fiscal year, up 200 million pounds from the previous two years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/red-sea-attacks-spark-global-inflation-fears-disrupting-supply-chains-680168">Red Sea attacks spark global inflation fears, disrupting supply chains</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;UK backing anti-India secessionist elements?</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Strikes against Houthis</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Britain said that it will "wait and see" before deciding to launch fresh military strikes against the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen in order to protect international shipping, Shapps said on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On being asked whether or not Britain would carry out more strikes, Shapps told Sky News, "Let's wait and see what happens, because it's not that we want to be involved in action in the Red Sea. But ultimately freedom of navigation is an international right that must be protected."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Britain took part in US-led air strikes against Houthi troops in Yemen last Thursday in retaliation for months of attacks on Red Sea shipping but did not participate the next day when US forces carried out another hit.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The British defence ministry said on Monday (Jan 15) that the United Kingdom will commit 20,000 military personnel to serve across Europe in one of NATO's largest military exercises since the Cold War.

The British defence ministry said on Monday (Jan 15) that the United Kingdom will commit 20,000 military personnel to serve across Europe in one of NATO's largest military exercises since the Cold War. Grant Shapps, the UK's defence secretary, will announce the deployment of army, naval, and RAF personnel to the 31-nation drill throughout Europe. The excerpts of the speech, due to be delivered later on Monday at Lancaster House, were published by the defence ministry. It revealed that the deployment includes 16,000 British army troops who will be based in Eastern Europe from February to June. It also includes an aircraft carrier strike group and F35B Lightning attack jets and surveillance planes. Also read: US claims it shot down anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi area of Yemen targeting USS Laboon "I can announce today that the UK will be sending some 20,000 personnel to take part in one of NATO's largest deployments since the end of the Cold War," Shapps will say according to the excerpts. NATO increased the number of combat-ready forces after Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to invade Ukraine about two years ago. The nation has continued to provide military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Kyiv. "It will see our military joining forces with counterparts from 30 NATO countries plus Sweden, providing vital reassurance against the Putin menace," Shapps said about the exercise. This comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed last week that Britain will enhance its help for Ukraine to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.19 billion) in the coming fiscal year, up 200 million pounds from the previous two years. Also read: Red Sea attacks spark global inflation fears, disrupting supply chains Watch: UK backing anti-India secessionist elements? × Strikes against Houthis Britain said that it will "wait and see" before deciding to launch fresh military strikes against the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen in order to protect international shipping, Shapps said on Monday. On being asked whether or not Britain would carry out more strikes, Shapps told Sky News, "Let's wait and see what happens, because it's not that we want to be involved in action in the Red Sea. But ultimately freedom of navigation is an international right that must be protected." Britain took part in US-led air strikes against Houthi troops in Yemen last Thursday in retaliation for months of attacks on Red Sea shipping but did not participate the next day when US forces carried out another hit. (With inputs from agencies)

UK to send 20,000 service personnel for NATO’s military exercises

The war in Ukraine is raging for over 400 days now. The war time President Zelensky keeps saying that Russia won't stop at Ukraine. While that seems a remote possibility at the moment. But before February, 2022, an invasion of Ukraine too looked remote. Given the heightened tensions, NATO troops are bolstering its defences.

NATO conducts military exercises with an eye on Russia | WION Pulse