2024-01-19 09:16:27
Joint training of NATO forces.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is conducting large-scale military exercises assuming a Russian invasion of Europe. It is the largest event since the Cold War, with all 31 member countries participating as well as Sweden, which is in the process of formal membership. It is interpreted that the purpose is to check the Western alliance’s ability to defend Europe and demonstrate deterrence against Russia.
Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Commander of NATO European Allied Forces, held a press conference at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on the 18th and said, “‘Steadfast Defender 2024’ will be launched with the participation of all NATO member countries and Sweden for about four months from next week to the end of May.” “Training is taking place,” he announced. He said, “More than 90,000 troops, 50 ships, 80 fighter jets and helicopters, and 1,100 tanks and infantry fighting vehicles will participate in this exercise,” adding, “This is the largest exercise in decades.”
NATO adopted the ‘Regional Defense Plan’, a military plan to prepare for a Russian attack on Europe, at the NATO Summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania in July last year. After the Cold War, NATO discarded its existing regional defense plan, saying, “The possibility of war in Europe has decreased,” but when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, it began drawing up a new plan again for the first time in 30 years.
On this day, the NATO Joint Chiefs of Staff Meeting was held in Brussels, where the top military commanders of NATO member countries gathered. NATO’s four Indo-Pacific partner countries, including Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, were also invited and held a separate meeting. NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer, who attended the meeting, said about the situation in Ukraine, “The fierce fighting continues, but it is a virtual stalemate with no one side gaining the upper hand.”
Regarding the Russian military’s power, he said, “Although it has suffered a significant blow due to the prolongation of the war, missile and shell production has increased significantly over the past two years. We expect to receive missiles from Iran in the future, following North Korea.” He emphasized, “Support for Ukraine is not an act of charity, but a direct investment in our security,” and “The military leaders gathered today reaffirmed their strong will to support Ukraine.”
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