Why is it in the news?
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commenced the Steadfast Defender 2024 exercise.
About Steadfast Defender 2024
- Steadfast Defender 2024 represents NATO’s largest military exercise since the Cold War era, emphasizing collective defence capabilities.
- The exercise spans from January to May 2024, indicating a prolonged and comprehensive training program.
- Divided into two phases, the exercise encompasses securing the Atlantic up to the Arctic in its initial phase, followed by troop movements across Europe from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe.
- Its primary objective is to demonstrate NATO’s unified military strength and dedication to member states’ security, particularly amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
- With approximately 90,000 troops involved, including all 31 NATO Allies and Sweden as an invitee, the exercise signifies broad participation and cooperation among member states.
Features:
- Showcase of diverse military equipment, including over 50 naval vessels and an air force comprising fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.
- Ground forces demonstrating NATO’s capabilities with a significant presence of combat vehicles, including tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
- Strategic drills designed to rehearse NATO’s regional plans, addressing concerns related to potential threats and reaffirming the alliance’s readiness.
| About NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
· NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance focused on deterrence and collective defence. · Established through the North Atlantic Treaty on April 4, 1949, in the aftermath of World War II. · Comprising 31 member states, including 29 European countries and two North American countries, NATO fosters transatlantic cooperation in defence and security matters. · NATO’s core mission is to safeguard the freedom and security of its members through collaborative defence efforts and crisis-management operations. · Situated in Brussels, Belgium, NATO’s headquarters serves as the administrative centre for coordinating alliance activities and operations.
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