In a significant demonstration of military cooperation and readiness, NATO forces, led by the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, have conducted the largest exercise in decades, named Steadfast Defender 24, across the Arctic seas. This extensive drill, involving multiple naval task forces, showcased a 15-ship PHOTEX and flypast, marking the conclusion of Exercise Nordic Response 24, a component of Steadfast Defender 24. Participating vessels included notable ships such as the USS Paul Ignatius, ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon, HMS Portland, HNLMS Karel Doorman, and HNoMS Magnus Lagabote, among others. The exercise, which spanned across various locations including Norway, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, and Hungary since February 2024, involved 20,000 troops from 15 nations, including six Arctic states. It aimed at reinforcing NATO's deter and defend posture across land, sea, and air, in response to the current geopolitical tensions, particularly following Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine. F-35B jets were also deployed from HMS Prince of Wales, simulating defense maneuvers in the Arctic skies over Norway, underscoring the #WeAreNATO #StrongerTogether spirit.
U.S. Marines join NATO exercises on freezing Norway tundra, as new battlefield emerges in Arctic https://t.co/9o278Jj1Zz via @nbcnews
๐๐ก๏ธ "NATO forces conduct largest exercise in decades", - Bild ๐ The legend of "Steadfast Defender" exercise is to prepare for a possible conflict with Russia. Military training has been taking place in Norway, Poland, Lithuania, Romania and Hungary since February 2024. https://t.co/w7mXJiZjAn
British carrier group operating off Norwegian coast - F-35B jets are now exercising in the Arctic skies over Norway, launching from HMS Prince of Wales, to simulate defending NATO from Russian attack. https://t.co/lM0jdD59E8
NEWSMAX was invited to Norway for the historic NATO drills in the Arctic Circle. General Eirik Kristoffersen, chief of defense and head of the Norwegian Armed Forces, shared his insights with Foreign Correspondent Shelby Wilder. @Shelby_Wilder https://t.co/f1s8bPdckO
a peek at natoโs largest exercise in decades 15 nations working together for โsteadfast defender 24โ https://t.co/KnckaallPl
๐ธ A Merlin Helicopter from the Commando Helicopter Force in Badderen, Norway in the High North, as part of Exercise Steadfast Defender. ๐ Exercise Steadfast Defender is the largest NATO exercise in decades. #SteadfastDefender https://t.co/HM3xrhQCki
NATO flexes its naval muscles in warning to Putin: HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier leads international fleet taking part in the alliance's largest drill for decades https://t.co/595CY3LMR2 https://t.co/pRIhij0Mrz
โThough no NATO country wants war, Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine has reminded the West that it can never show weakness, and there is certainly strength in numbers.' @RayAddisonLive has been given exclusive access to a NATO training exercise in Poland. https://t.co/AZWyr4Zmes
EX #NordicResponse24 is a great example of #NATO Allies working together to protect & defend our #Nordic security. 20.000 troops from 13 Nations, including 6 #Arctic states, are reinforcing @NATO's #DeterandDefend posture across land, sea & air in ๐ณ๐ด ๐ซ๐ฎ ๐ธ๐ช. https://t.co/otp5ZG8C7m
15-ship PHOTEX and flypast at the conclusion of Exercise Nordic Response 24 - part of the wider exercise #SteadfastDefender2024 ๐ฌ๐งHMS Prince of Wales ๐บ๐ธUSS Paul Ignatius ๐ช๐ธESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon ๐ฌ๐งHMS Portland ๐ณ๐ฑHNLMS Karel Doorman ๐ณ๐ดHNoMS Magnus Lagabote ๐ฌ๐งRFAโฆ https://t.co/OALZySwqDX
British carrier leads huge NATO fleet in message to Russia - Multiple naval task forces, all taking part in the largest NATO exercise in decades, have converged together to join HMS Prince of Wales and her Carrier Strike Group. https://t.co/jOw8I5BEoP
The true scale of #SteadfastDefender24 on show. The different maritime task groups from the largest @NATO exercise in decades assemble, with the Carrier Strike Group and @HMSPWLS leading the way across the Arctic seas. #WeAreNATO #StrongerTogether https://t.co/1dMUCIErCa