NATO’s Steadfast Noon maneuvers began on October 14. More than 60 aircraft and 2,000 soldiers from 13 NATO member states are taking part.[1] There was no shortage of Polish contributions.
According to the head of the General Staff of the Polish Army, General Wiesław Kukuła – four F-16 aircraft have been sent from Poland to the Steadfast Noon exercises, as well as 90 soldiers from the 2nd Tactical Air Wing, whose bases are located in Krzesiny and Łask.[2]
The Steadfast Noon maneuvers will last two weeks. They are cyclical exercises organized by NATO, for more than 10 years. This year’s edition takes place in the airspace of Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom and over the North Sea.[3] The purpose of Steadfast Noon is to practice nuclear deterrence.
Among those taking part in the exercise are multirole aircraft capable of carrying B61 nuclear bombs (B61-3, B61-4, B61-7, B61-10 and the latest B61-12), B-52 bombers and fighter jets.[4] B-52 aircraft are US long-range strategic machines, capable of carrying up to 31 tons of bombs, including nuclear bombs, over a distance of more than 6,400 km.[5] This year, the Dutch F-35A Lightning II, a fighter capable of nuclear roles, is making its debut in NATO exercises. Other fighters carrying nuclear payloads include the F-16C/D and Panavia Tornado IDS.[6] Significantly, during the NATO maneuvers, none of the aircraft were equipped with missiles with nuclear warheads.
In addition to bombers, nuclear-capable aircraft, and aerial refueling planes, escort fighters, which include Polish F-16s, participate in the exercises. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is not integrated with nuclear bombs, but it regularly takes part in NATO nuclear deterrence exercises, acting as an escorts.[7]
According to NATO’s new Secretary General Mark Rutte, nuclear deterrence is a “cornerstone of the Alliance’s security,” and the Steadfast Noon exercises are intended to send a clear message to a potential adversary that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will protect each and every one of its allies.[8] At the recent NATO summit in Washington (July 9-11, 2024), it was stated that the nuclear arsenal is only necessary to maintain peace and deter potential aggressors. Additionally, the allies stressed – in accordance with the Alliance’s Strategic Concept – that “as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.”[9]
Noteworthy, the aircraft taking part in the Steadfast Noon maneuvers do not carry nuclear weapons. Last year, three F-16 multi-role aircraft belonging to the Polish Air Force took part in the NATO exercises in an escort role. Poland has participated in the exercises since 2014.[10]
Tekst powstał w ramach realizacji zadania publicznego zleconego w ramach Rządowego Programu Rozwoju Organizacji Obywatelskich na lata 2018–2030 r. „Bezpieczna Polska jutra – rozwój działań misyjnych Alioth Foundation”.
Bibliography:
[1] Z. Zalesiński Polska-zbrojna.pl „Sojusz także nuklearny” [online],
[2] R. Ditrich Forsal.pl „Polskie F-16 razem z innymi samolotami NATO ćwiczą uderzenie nuklearne”[online],
[3] Defence24.pl, „Polskie F-16 na jądrowych ćwiczeniach NATO” [online],
[4] R. Muczyński Milmag.pl „Rozpoczęło się natowskie ćwiczenie odstraszania nuklearnego Steadfast Noon 2024” [online],
[5] D. Roman Wyborcza.pl, „60 samolotów nad Europą Zachodnią. NATO będzie ćwiczyło użycie broni jądrowej” [online],
[6] R. Muczyński Milmag.pl „Rozpoczęło się natowskie ćwiczenie odstraszania nuklearnego Steadfast Noon 2024” [online],
[7] Ł. Zając Defence24.pl, „W poniedziałek ruszają międzynarodowe ćwiczenia nuklearne NATO” [online],
[8] ibidem.
[9] Ł. Zalesiński, Aviation24.pl, „Samoloty zdolne do przenoszenia ładunków jądrowych będą operować nad zachodnią Europą” [online],
[10] R. Muczyński Milmag.pl „Rozpoczęło się natowskie ćwiczenie odstraszania nuklearnego Steadfast Noon 2024” [online].
