NATO will deploy 90,000 troops in exercises that will simulate a conflict in Europe

BRUSSELS, 18 Ene. (EUROPE PRESS) -

NATO confirmed this Thursday that the largest military maneuvers in decades will involve the deployment of 90,000 troops from all Alliance countries in Europe, in exercises that will last until May and will simulate a conflict scenario.

The Steadfast Defender 2024 practices, called to implement the new Defense plans agreed upon last year in the midst of the threat from Russia due to the military invasion of Ukraine, will begin next week and will continue for months, assuming the movement of large numbers of troops and military means from North America to Europe.

This was announced by the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (SACEUR), US General Christopher Cavoli, who detailed that with these important maneuvers NATO "will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic zone through the transatlantic movement of forces from North America."

"This reinforcement will occur during a simulated scenario of emerging conflict against an adversary with similar capabilities," explained Cavoli, at a press conference from Brussels after the meeting of the NATO Military Committee.

The military organization considers these maneuvers a "clear demonstration" of Atlantic unity, strength and determination, based on mutual defense enshrined in Article 5 of the NATO treaty.

These large-scale exercises coincide with the 75th anniversary of NATO, which will hold its leaders' summit next July in Washington in what will be another sign of Western unity against Russia, in the face of the military invasion of Ukraine. For its part, the United Kingdom announced earlier this week that it will deploy 20,000 soldiers throughout Eastern Europe for these maneuvers, NATO's largest since the Cold War, which will take place from February to June.