NATO conducts the largest post-Cold War military exercises-FT

NATO states intend to conduct the largest joint exercises since the Cold War in Germany, Poland and the Baltic countries in February-March 2024.

"Strong defender" training involves between 500 and 700 combat air flights and over 50 ship manoeuvres. It is expected to involve more than 41,000 soldiers. The training scenario shows NATO troops returning Russian aggression towards one of the alliance members.

The simulated enemy is a coalition led by Russia. In order to create more realistic scenarios for the troops, it is planned to use real geographic information in the exercises.

A total of 32 countries participate in the exercises — 31 are NATO members and Sweden who have applied to join the alliance.

The "strong defender" exercise is part of NATO's new training strategy, and the alliance conducts major training twice a year instead of once a year. According to NATO representatives, with these exercises, the Alliance wants to demonstrate its readiness to conduct military operations in Moscow.