Italy to host NATO Steadfast Noon nuclear exercise with 17 allied nations

Scope and air bases involved

Italy will host NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise, Steadfast Noon, beginning on 13 October 2026. The training drill will run for ten days through 23 October, operating primarily from the Aviano air base in Pordenone province and the Ghedi air base in Brescia province. Air operations will also extend across surrounding airspace and additional sites within the Alliance's area of responsibility. Seventeen NATO member states will participate in the maneuvers with dual-capable aircraft suited for conventional and nuclear tasks. The Italian Air Force and NATO officials confirmed that no live nuclear weapons or live munitions will be used during the flights. The operational focus centers entirely on validating safety standards, technical procedures, and multinational coordination among Allied air crews.

Diplomatic messaging and nuclear policy

Participation in the annual drill has expanded, with 17 nations attending in 2026 compared to 14 in 2025 and 13 in 2024. While Italy's initial announcement presented the maneuvers as standard routine deterrence, NATO nuclear policy director Nassima Barrows clarified that Steadfast Noon is a nuclear exercise conducted in full alignment with Rome. Italian defence officials noted that Italy previously hosted the exercise six times, specifically in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021, and 2023. In Rome, several parliamentarians announced plans to submit a formal inquiry to scrutinize whether the drills involve United States nuclear weapons stored in Europe. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended the annual drill as a vital requirement for collective security.

The exercise helps us ensure a safe, secure, effective and credible capability to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression. It also sends a clear message of unity and resolve.

Tensions surrounding Kaliningrad

The training follows heated exchanges between Western officials and Moscow regarding security in the Baltic region. In a non-paper document delivered to NATO, Russian officials accused the alliance of an irresponsible and adventuristic course that creates risks of direct armed confrontation. Moscow alleged that NATO plans to simulate an operational blockade of Kaliningrad, the Russian Baltic exclave, and warned it would consider using its full arsenal if the territory faced isolation. NATO officials rejected the assertion, noting that Steadfast Noon was scheduled long in advance and is not directed at any specific adversary. Alliance monitoring teams have detected no strategic changes in Russian forces.

Obviously, we are monitoring Russia very closely. We have not observed major changes in their posture that cause concern.

Allied defense commitments

Military leadership stressed that joint preparedness remains essential across all participating air forces. NATO head of nuclear operations Colonel David Bull stated that the nuclear mission requires high standards and coordinated collective discipline across national boundaries. Parallel to the military preparations, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed alliance burden sharing during a diplomatic stop at Athens airport prior to flying to Portugal. Rubio urged European allies to increase national defense spending, noting that stronger individual members strengthen the alliance as a whole. Rubio pointed to increased German military spending as a positive indicator, while acknowledging domestic resistance to higher defense budgets in several member states.