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<p>The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) started its biggest military exercise in decades on Wednesday (Jan 24). In a statement, NATO said, "Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, NATO’s largest exercise in decades, began on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2024, as the dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States and following a series of operations will commence her transit across the Atlantic."</p>

<p>"The departure of USS Gunston Hall marks the first tactical movement of Steadfast Defender 24. His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Charlottetown, will depart Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for Europe later this month," the statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Around 90,000 troops from member states are participating in the exercise that will run through May.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A rapid deployment of forces</strong></h2>

<p>NATO said on Wednesday that Steadfast Defender 24 would highlight the intergovernmental military organisation's ability to deploy forces rapidly from North America and other parts of the alliance to reinforce the defence of Europe.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-signs-11-billion-euro-contract-for-155mm-artillery-ammunition-682969">NATO signs 1.1 billion euro contract for 155mm artillery ammunition</a></strong></p>

<p>Over 50 ships from aircraft carriers to destroyers are taking part in the drills, including over 80 fighter jets, helicopters and drones. At least 1,100 combat vehicles including 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles have been deployed.</p>

<p>Steadfast Defender 24 comes amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine which will soon enter its third year. A top document by NATO had identified Russia as the most significant and direct threat to the alliance's security.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Irrevocable return of NATO to Cold War schemes'</strong></h2>

<p>Last Sunday (Jan 21), Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that Steadfast Defender 24 marked an irrevocable return of the alliance to Cold War schemes.&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>"These exercises are another element of the hybrid war unleashed by the West against Russia," Deputy Foreign Minister Grushko told the RIA news agency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"An exercise of this scale ... marks the final and irrevocable return of NATO to the Cold War schemes, when the military planning process, resources and infrastructure are being prepared for confrontation with Russia," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) started its biggest military exercise in decades on Wednesday (Jan 24). In a statement, NATO said, "Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, NATO’s largest exercise in decades, began on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2024, as the dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States and following a series of operations will commence her transit across the Atlantic.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) started its biggest military exercise in decades on Wednesday (Jan 24). In a statement, NATO said, "Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, NATO’s largest exercise in decades, began on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2024, as the dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States and following a series of operations will commence her transit across the Atlantic." "The departure of USS Gunston Hall marks the first tactical movement of Steadfast Defender 24. His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Charlottetown, will depart Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for Europe later this month," the statement said. Around 90,000 troops from member states are participating in the exercise that will run through May. A rapid deployment of forces NATO said on Wednesday that Steadfast Defender 24 would highlight the intergovernmental military organisation's ability to deploy forces rapidly from North America and other parts of the alliance to reinforce the defence of Europe. Also read | NATO signs 1.1 billion euro contract for 155mm artillery ammunition Over 50 ships from aircraft carriers to destroyers are taking part in the drills, including over 80 fighter jets, helicopters and drones. At least 1,100 combat vehicles including 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles have been deployed. Steadfast Defender 24 comes amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine which will soon enter its third year. A top document by NATO had identified Russia as the most significant and direct threat to the alliance's security. 'Irrevocable return of NATO to Cold War schemes' Last Sunday (Jan 21), Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that Steadfast Defender 24 marked an irrevocable return of the alliance to Cold War schemes. Also watch | NATO's biggest military exercise: Know who will participate, major locations × "These exercises are another element of the hybrid war unleashed by the West against Russia," Deputy Foreign Minister Grushko told the RIA news agency. "An exercise of this scale ... marks the final and irrevocable return of NATO to the Cold War schemes, when the military planning process, resources and infrastructure are being prepared for confrontation with Russia," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Steadfast Defender 24 : NATO begins its biggest military exercise in decades

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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

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Steadfast Defender 24 : NATO begins its biggest military exercise in decades

NAṬO to launch its biggest military exercises in decades