To prepare for a possible Russian invasion, the American-led NATO military alliance plans to hold its largest war games exercise since the Cold War’s conclusion.
Over 40,000 troops from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) will gather next year for the largest unified command exercise since the Cold War’s end to practise defending against a Russian military action against one of the organization’s 31 countries.
According to the Financial Times, the ‘Steadfast Defender’ war games exercise will take place next Spring and will include between 500 and 700 air force combat sorties, over 50 naval ships, and around 41,000 personnel.
Based on NATO officials, the exercise would be aimed to mimic a conflict with a coalition of forces led by Moscow, which will be named ‘Occasus’ throughout the exercise.
Throughout February and March, NATO will undertake exercises in Germany, Poland, and the Baltic nations. Sweden, which has yet to be confirmed as an official member of the military alliance, will participate in the war simulations as well. Furthermore, NATO will conduct terrorist training outside of its borders, albeit the location has yet to be determined.
In order to increase military readiness, the alliance will perform two major war games exercises instead of one next year.