NATO begins a big nuclear exercise next week. Protecting the weapons is a key part of the drill

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"NATO will hold its major annual nuclear exercise next week, the alliance's chief announced Friday, with an important part of the drill to focus on protecting the weapons before they're ever used. The long-planned Steadfast Noon exercise, which starts on Monday, is taking place amid heightened security around military facilities in Europe due to a series of mysterious drone incidents, some of them blamed on Russia. Steadfast Noon will run for about two weeks. It will be led by the Netherlands and involve 71 aircraft from 14 NATO countries. The exercise has been held at roughly the same time each year for over a decade."

""We need to do this because it helps us to make sure that our nuclear deterrent remains as credible, and as safe, and as secure, and as effective as possible," NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in a video statement. "It also sends a clear signal to any potential adversary that we will and can protect and defend all allies against all threats, he said."

The Independent emphasizes sending reporters across US topics from reproductive rights to climate change and Big Tech, funded by donations to keep reporting free of paywalls. The outlet investigates issues like Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC and produces documentaries spotlighting American women fighting for reproductive rights. NATO will conduct its annual Steadfast Noon nuclear exercise starting Monday, lasting about two weeks, led by the Netherlands and involving 71 aircraft from 14 NATO countries. The drill will focus on protecting nuclear weapons before any use and aims to maintain a credible, safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent while signaling protection for allies.

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