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Context

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) started its largest military exercise in Europe, the Steadfast Defender 2024.

Details

Steadfast Defender 2024:

• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) launched its largest military exercise in Europe in decades.
• Phase 1 (January – March): Focuses on maritime reinforcement across the Atlantic and the Arctic, involving live exercises and amphibious assault training.
• Phase 2 (Mid-February – May): Emphasizes multi-domain operations across Europe, testing rapid troop deployment within NATO borders.
• It involves 90,000 forces from 31 member countries and NATO partner Sweden and is conducted across various NATO nations.
• The exercise will feature an impressive array of military hardware, including over 50 naval vessels ranging from aircraft carriers to destroyers, and a formidable air contingent of more than 80 units comprising fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.
• The ground forces are equally robust, with at least 1,100 combat vehicles, including 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles, demonstrating NATO’s ground capabilities.
• The purpose of Steadfast Defender 2024 is to put NATO's new regional defense plans to the test.

Against Russian Aggression

• While NATO officials emphasize the exercise’s defensive nature, experts view it as a strategic deterrent against Russian expansionism, particularly in Ukraine. The exercise sends a clear message to the Kremlin, showcasing NATO’s resolve to safeguard its members and deter further Russian aggression.
• Against the backdrop of Steadfast Defender 2024, international support to Ukraine remains steadfast.

NATO

• Formed in 1949 with the signing of the Washington Treaty, NATO is a security alliance of 31 countries from North America and Europe.
• NATO’s fundamental goal is to safeguard the Allies’ freedom and security by political and military means.
• It is a system of collective defence where independent member states agree for mutual defence in case of any attack by an external party.
• Article 5 of the Washington Treaty states that an attack against one ally is an attack against all. This article forms the core of the Alliance, a promise of collective defense.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.

Functions:

• NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust, and, in the long run, prevent conflict.
• NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations. These are carried out under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or under a United Nations mandate, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international organizations.

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