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Steadfast Defender

Steadfast Defender is a series of large-scale military exercises conducted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to enhance the readiness and interoperability of its constituent Allied forces. These exercises demonstrate NATO’s capability to rapidly deploy and sustain forces across Europe, reinforcing collective defense and deterrence strategies.

History

The inaugural Steadfast Defender exercise took place in 2021, involving approximately 9,000 troops. Designed to test NATO’s new command structure, it focused on the rapid reinforcement of Europe from North America. Building on this foundation, Steadfast Defender 2024 expanded significantly, becoming NATO’s largest military exercise since the Cold War. Held from January to May 2024, it mobilized over 90,000 troops from all 31 NATO member countries and partner nation Sweden. The exercise showcased NATO’s ability to conduct complex, multi-domain operations over extended periods and vast distances, from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe.

Main Features and Focus

Steadfast Defender exercises are designed to validate and enhance several key aspects of NATO’s collective defense capabilities:

  • Rapid Deployment and Mobility: Testing the Alliance’s ability to swiftly deploy forces from North America and across Europe to potential conflict zones. This includes the transatlantic movement of troops and equipment, as well as intra-European deployments.
  • Multi-Domain Operations: Integrating land, air, sea, and cyber capabilities to conduct coordinated operations. For instance, Steadfast Defender 2024 involved over 50 ships, 80 aircraft, and 1,100 combat vehicles, emphasizing joint force interoperability.
  • Command and Control Structures: Evaluating and refining NATO’s command and control mechanisms to ensure efficient decision-making and communication during crises. This includes testing new defense plans and command structures established to respond to emerging threats.
  • Collective Defense and Deterrence: Demonstrating NATO’s commitment to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack against one Ally is considered an attack against all. The exercises serve as a deterrent to potential adversaries by showcasing the Alliance’s unified strength and readiness.