NATO begins large-scale military exercises “Steadfast Dart 26” in Germany, involving 11 member states but notably excluding Poland and the United States.
NATO’s Largest Exercise of the Year
Steadfast Dart 26 will be NATO’s largest and most spectacular operation this year. Germany will host the major maneuvers while also serving as a transfer center. The alliance has begun moving thousands of soldiers, equipment, and military vehicles to Germany from across Europe.
Exercise Objectives
The NATO maneuvers are designed to demonstrate readiness. During Steadfast Dart 26, the alliance will practice the fastest and coordinated movement of soldiers, equipment, and vehicles within NATO territory. This aims to train and demonstrate defensive capabilities against attacks on alliance territory.
Participation Without Poland
Eleven NATO member states are participating: Italy, Greece, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Turkey, France, Belgium, and Great Britain. The exercise involves military forces from armies, air forces, and navies, as well as units specializing in space and cyberspace. The United States is not participating, nor is Poland.
Scale of Equipment
The large maneuvers will involve an enormous amount of equipment: more than 1,500 military vehicles, including battle tanks and rocket launchers; over 20 aircraft and fighters; and 17 naval units, including landing ships, frigates, and submarines.
Multiple Locations
According to NATO, the major exercises will include several locations in Central Europe, with the most important activities taking place in Germany. The main venue in February will be the military training area in Bergen, Lower Saxony, located on the Lüneburg Heath – one of the largest military training areas in Europe. Maneuvers are also taking place in other locations, such as Schleswig-Holstein on the Baltic Sea coast.
Command Structure
According to NATO, these major exercises are also the first operation of the newly created NATO rapid reaction forces, which are under the operational command of JFC in Brunssum. NATO operational headquarters are subordinate to the NATO headquarters in Mons and are responsible for planning and implementing military operations. JFC Brunssum is responsible for Germany and the eastern flank.
