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What involves 90,000 forces, more than 50 naval assets, 80 air platforms and more than 1,100 combat vehicles? Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024 – NATO’s biggest in decades, aimed at reinforcing the defence of Europe.
Synopsis
NATO’s largest exercise in decades is underway. Steadfast Defender 2024 (STDE24) involves around 90,000 forces from 31 Allies and NATO partner Sweden. The exercise, which is conducted across various NATO nations, is based on NATO’s new defence plans and demonstrates the Alliance’s ability to rapidly deploy forces from North America and other parts of the Alliance, to reinforce the defence of Europe. It also gives a clear demonstration of NATO’s transatlantic unity, strength and determination to do all that is necessary to protect each other and our common values.
Taking part in STDE24 is:
More than 50 naval assets including aircraft carriers, frigates, corvettes and destroyers.
More than 80 air platforms including F35s, FA18s, Harriers, F15s, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
And more than 1,100 combat vehicles including 166 tanks, 533 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and 417 armoured personnel carriers (APCs).
STDE24 is a series of national and multinational large-scale exercises that takes place from 24 January 2024 until the end of May.
Transcript
TRANSCRIPT (AUDIO AND TEXT ON SCREEN)

— TEXT ON SCREEN —

90,000 FORCES
FROM 31 ALLIES AND SWEDEN
NATO’S BIGGEST EXERCISE IN DECADES
PUTTING THE ALLIANCE’S NEW DEFENCE PLANS TO THE TEST
DEMONSTRATING OUR TRANSATLANTIC UNITY
STRENGTH
AND ABILITY TO QUICKLY DEPLOY FORCES
ACROSS THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES
IN ANY CONDITIONS
TO DEFEND OUR PEOPLE
AND OUR VALUES

STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024
Music
Carry On by Oliver Daldry, Philip Peter, Dudley Panton and Tom Barnes
Usage rights
This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes.

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90,000 troops and personnel

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31 NATO allies & Sweden

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50+ naval assets

military plane

80+ air platforms

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1,100+ combat vehicles

"Steadfast Defender 2024 will be a clear demonstration of our unity, strength and determination to protect each other, our values and the rules-based international order."

~ Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli
Supreme Allied Commander Europe

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Sailors aboard the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) conduct flight operations with an Italian Navy helicopter, attached to Italian Landing Assault Helicopter Ship Giuseppe Garibaldi, in the Norwegian Sea in support of Steadfast Defender 24, March 6, 2024. Steadfast Defender 2024, NATO’s largest exercise in decades, will demonstrate NATO’s ability to deploy forces rapidly from across the Alliance to reinforce the defense of Europe. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Danielle Serocki)

USS Gunston Hall Conducts Flight Quarters

USS Gunston Hall Conducts Flight Quarters

Deep within the Arctic Circle, Nordic Response ignites a symphony of strength. Here, 14 nations join as one, not just honing skills, but forging an unbreakable shield against future threats. Taking place biennially, this NATO training event not only showcases the Marine Corps' prowess in arctic environments but also fosters essential interoperability with allied nations. Witness the strategic significance of this exercise, ensuring our armed forces stand prepared for any challenges on the horizon. (U.S. Marine Corps video produced by Corporal Jacob Richardson, Sergeant Jose Cevallos, Sergeant David Myers, Sergeant Jahnn Lugo, Sergeant James Bourgeois, Gunnery Sergeant Jared King, and Master Sergeant Robert Brown)

Guardians of the High North: A Symphony of Strength in Nordic Response

Guardians of the High North: A Symphony of Strength in Nordic Response

EXERCISE BRILLIANT JUMP 2024 as a part of Steadfast Defender 2024 is kicking off.

U.S. 2nd Fleet staff prepare to depart for Bodø, Norway as part of a forward deployed command and control force of NATO Maritime assets during Steadfast Defender 2024, at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., Feb. 7, 2024. Steadfast Defender 2024, NATO’s largest exercise in decades, will demonstrate NATO’s ability to deploy forces rapidly from across the Alliance to reinforce the defense of Europe. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch)

U.S. 2nd Fleet Staff Departs

U.S. 2nd Fleet Staff Departs

EXERCISE BRILLIANT JUMP 2024 as a part of Steadfast Defender 2024 is kicking off.

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Kyle Perschka, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2d Marine Logistics Group, explains the EOD breaching process in Setermoen, Norway, Feb. 7, 2024. CLB-6 is out in Norway to support Nordic Response 24, an upcoming NATO training event conducted every two years to promote arctic security, enhance our global readiness, and foster interoperability between U.S. Forces and Allied and partner forces. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Jacob Richardson)

Safeguarding the Frigid Frontier

Safeguarding the Frigid Frontier

What involves 90,000 forces, more than 50 naval assets, 80 air platforms and more than 1,100 combat vehicles? Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024 – NATO’s biggest in decades, aimed at reinforcing the defence of Europe.
Synopsis
NATO’s largest exercise in decades is underway. Steadfast Defender 2024 (STDE24) involves around 90,000 forces from 31 Allies and NATO partner Sweden. The exercise, which is conducted across various NATO nations, is based on NATO’s new defence plans and demonstrates the Alliance’s ability to rapidly deploy forces from North America and other parts of the Alliance, to reinforce the defence of Europe. It also gives a clear demonstration of NATO’s transatlantic unity, strength and determination to do all that is necessary to protect each other and our common values.
Taking part in STDE24 is:
More than 50 naval assets including aircraft carriers, frigates, corvettes and destroyers.
More than 80 air platforms including F35s, FA18s, Harriers, F15s, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
And more than 1,100 combat vehicles including 166 tanks, 533 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and 417 armoured personnel carriers (APCs).
STDE24 is a series of national and multinational large-scale exercises that takes place from 24 January 2024 until the end of May.
Transcript
TRANSCRIPT (AUDIO AND TEXT ON SCREEN)

— TEXT ON SCREEN —

90,000 FORCES
FROM 31 ALLIES AND SWEDEN
NATO’S BIGGEST EXERCISE IN DECADES
PUTTING THE ALLIANCE’S NEW DEFENCE PLANS TO THE TEST
DEMONSTRATING OUR TRANSATLANTIC UNITY
STRENGTH
AND ABILITY TO QUICKLY DEPLOY FORCES
ACROSS THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES
IN ANY CONDITIONS
TO DEFEND OUR PEOPLE
AND OUR VALUES

STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024
Music
Carry On by Oliver Daldry, Philip Peter, Dudley Panton and Tom Barnes
Usage rights
This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes.

Steadfast Defender 2024

Steadfast Defender 2024

Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, introduces Steadfast Defender 2024. Steadfast Defender 2024, NATO’s largest exercise in decades, will demonstrate NATO's ability to deploy forces rapidly from across the Alliance to reinforce the defense of Europe. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Seelbach)

USS Gunston Hall Starts Steadfast Defender

USS Gunston Hall Starts Steadfast Defender

NATO is further strengthening its defences to better respond to the most serious security crisis we are facing in decades. Find out more.
Synopsis

At the NATO Summit in Madrid, Leaders agreed new measures to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence, in light of the most serious security crisis we are facing in decades.
As part of the biggest overhaul of NATO’s collective defence and deterrence since the Cold War, NATO will boost its high-readiness forces to more than 300,000 troops. NATO battlegroups in the eastern part of the Alliance will be strengthened, enhancing them up to brigade level. Under the new plans, the Alliance will also set up more pre-positioned equipment and weapons stockpiles, as well as more forward-deployed capabilities, including air defence, and strengthened command and control. Finally, NATO will have pre-assigned forces to defend specific Allies, allowing for a much faster reinforcement in case of crisis.
Transcript

— TEXT ON SCREEN —

NATO IS STRENGTHENING
ITS DEFENCES WITH NEW MEASURES

TO BETTER PROTECT ALLIED CITIZENS

#1
STRONGER
MULTINATIONAL BATTLEGROUPS
UP TO BRIGADE LEVEL

#2
MORE THAN 300,000 TROOPS
AT HIGH LEVEL OF READINESS

ON LAND
AT SEA
AND IN THE SKIES

#3
PRE-POSITIONED STOCKS OF
WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT

BOOSTING NATO’S ABILITY
TO RESPOND TO ANY THREAT
AT VERY SHORT NOTICE

-END-
Music
Bigger Ideas by Enrico Cacace
Usage rights
This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes.

NATO Strengthens Its Defense Structure

NATO Strengthens Its Defense Structure