ALLIANCE LAUNCHES NUCLEAR DEFENCE EXERCISE

BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 13 /SRNA/ – NATO has launched its annual exercise aimed at defending Alliance territory through the use of nuclear weapons, a spokesperson for the Alliance’s headquarters in the Belgian city of Mons said.

Forces from 17 countries will take part in the exercise, Steadfast Noon, until the end of next week, he said.

Germany has deployed three Tornado aircraft to Aviano Air Base in northern Italy for the exercise.

According to the German Air Force, several dozen German military personnel are participating in the exercise, the DPA news agency reported.

German Tornado aircraft are normally stationed at Büchel Air Base in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, in western Germany.

According to unconfirmed reports, US nuclear weapons are stored there and, in an emergency, could also be delivered by German aircraft under NATO’s nuclear-sharing arrangements.

Bases in countries such as Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands are also believed to house US nuclear weapons in Europe.