NATO Launches Exercise with 90,000 Troops, Largest in Decades

The maneuvers include more than 80 air platforms, including F-35s, F/A-18s, Harriers, F-15s, helicopters, and uncrewed aerial vehicles.

Kimberly Johnson

Monday, January 22, 2024 at 05:29 PM ET

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NATO is launching its largest war game in decades this week that comprises about 90,000 troops from all 31 allied nations and Sweden. [Courtesy: NATO]

Key Takeaways:

NATO is launching "Steadfast Defender 24," its largest war game since the Cold War, involving approximately 90,000 troops from all 31 allied nations and Sweden.
The exercise aims to demonstrate the alliance's ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic during a simulated conflict against a near-peer adversary, serving as a show of force and deterrence.
These maneuvers signify NATO's return to comprehensive collective territorial defense strategies, preparing its forces and plans for potential confrontation.
Russia has condemned the drills as an element of "hybrid war" and a return to Cold War-era military schemes.

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In an epic show of force, NATO is launching its largest war game in decades this week that comprises about 90,000 troops from all 31 allied nations and Sweden.

The rehearsal—referred to as “Steadfast Defender 24″—aims to demonstrate how U.S. forces and the alliance would reinforce the Euro-Atlantic during a “simulated emerging conflict scenario against a near-peer adversary,” NATO said. The exercise includes more than 80 air platforms, including F-35 Lightning IIs, F/A-18 Hornets, Harriers, F-15 Eagles, helicopters, and uncrewed aerial vehicles.