BRUSSELS, Troops from NATO countries and partners are taking part in a series of major military exercises stretching from the High North to the Mediterranean to enhance the readiness of NATO forces.
NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu said in a statement Monday, “These are long-planned defensive exercises. In a more contested and dangerous security environment, they send a clear message: NATO stands strong and ready to defend every inch of Allied territory.” In March, 20,000 NATO troops, plus Finland and Sweden, train to defend Norway in exercises “Joint Viking” and “Joint Warrior”, the largest drills in Europe’s Arctic this year, said a NATO statement today.
In the Mediterranean, ships, submarines and aircraft from nine NATO countries conducted anti-submarine warfare drills during exercise “Dynamic Manta”.
France is holding its largest military drill in decades as part of “Orion 23”, involving 19,000 NATO troops over three months.
Around 600 German troops are practicing defending Lithuania during “Griffin Lighting”. Flying out of Spain, US B-52 bombers hold joint drills with Allied air forces across Europe.
In February, aircraft carriers from the United States, Italy and Spain trained together in the Mediterranean during the “Neptune series” of naval drills.
Source: Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)