NATO's Steadfast Noon Exercises: Weighing the Dangers of Nuclear Sharing

NATO's Steadfast Noon Exercises: Weighing the Dangers of Nuclear Sharing

NATO's annual Steadfast Noon nuclear exercises have commenced, involving 2,000 personnel, 60 aircraft, and operations across eight bases in 13 countries. At the heart of these exercises lies the concept of "nuclear sharing," where designated NATO allies simulate combat missions using US nuclear weapons stored on their territory.

This year's exercises, which began on Monday, are primarily taking place over the North Sea, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK. The drills aim to test the readiness and effectiveness of NATO's nuclear forces, but they also raise concerns about the safety and implications of nuclear sharing.

NATO's nuclear sharing program originated during the Cold War, with the US deploying nuclear weapons to allies such as Canada, the UK, Greece, Turkey, Italy, and West Germany. These weapons remained under US control, with American forces guarding them and holding the arming codes. Today, the US maintains 100-150 B61 nuclear bombs in Europe and Turkey.

The current deployment of US nuclear weapons in Europe includes:

10-15 bombs at Belgium's Kleine Brogel Air Base, deliverable by F-16 MLU and F-35A jets

10-15 B61s at Germany's Büchel Air Base, carried by PA-200 Tornado jets and eventually, F-35As

up to 45 B61s at Italy's Aviano and Ghedi air bases, deliverable by F-16 C/Ds, Tornados, and F-35As

about 20 bombs at the Netherlands' Volkel Air Base, delivered by F-16 MLUs and F-35As

up to 50 B61s at Turkey's Incirlik Air Base

Poland has also expressed readiness to host US nukes under the Nuclear Sharing program, likely at Lask Air Base. This development has sparked concerns among experts, who argue that expanding the program will only increase tensions with Russia.

While the B61s are tactical weapons, they pose significant dangers due to the US nuclear doctrine's allowance for first-strike use and against non-nuclear weapons states. The bombs that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 had yields of 15 and 21 kt, respectively. In comparison, the B61 Mod 7 variant has a 10-340 kt yield, making it a potentially catastrophic weapon.

The storage and handling of these nuclear weapons also raise concerns. They are kept in underground vaults, but incidents can still occur. In 2023, a damaged B61 was discovered at Volkel Air Base, highlighting the risks of accidental detonation and widespread nuclear contamination. The incident sparked concerns about the safety protocols in place to prevent such accidents.

Hans M. Kristensen, a researcher at the Federation of American Scientists, noted that the incident was likely caused by a significant force, possibly a vehicle in transit or the weapons elevator in the underground storage vault. Kristensen emphasized that while the risk of accidental detonation was minute, the consequences would be severe.

Furthermore, nuclear sharing increases the risk of nuclear conflict. In the 1980s, the US deployment of nuclear-armed Pershing and cruise missiles in Western Europe sparked mass protests and nearly led to an all-out nuclear war in 1983. The deployment forced the USSR to put its nuclear forces on high alert, bringing the world to the brink of catastrophe.

As NATO continues its Steadfast Noon exercises, the international community must consider the risks and implications of nuclear sharing. The exercises may be intended as a deterrent, but they also serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear war.

Critics argue that NATO's nuclear sharing program is outdated and unnecessary, given the changing global security landscape. They point out that the program creates unnecessary risks and undermines international efforts to reduce nuclear arsenals.