Operation Steadfast Noon is underway. On Monday, NATO allies began their routine war game in North-Western Europe to test the Alliance’s nuclear readiness. This year’s exercise involves 14 NATO countries and 60 aircraft, including B-52 long-range bombers flying in from the US, but is refraining from using live ammo.
Meanwhile, in the Mediterranean, another war game has begun. Assets from the American and Italian Navies – part of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 – have arrived in Cagliari, Sardinia, to take part in operation “Mare Aperto 2” (Open Sea 2). This drill, undertaken by five NATO countries, includes:
- 45 sea vessels, including warships and submarines;
- An unspecified amount of F-35 and Eurofighter fighter jets;
- 4,000 soldiers, who began shooting drills in the Sardinian locations of Quirra, Teulada and Capo Frasca;
- Two highly-specialised Italian marine units, namely the Brigata Marina San Marco amphibious division and Comsubin Marine Commandos.
Minding the Southern front. Mare Aperto 2, which is designed and hosted by Italy, will last until Thursday, October 27 and encompass the entire Italian Mediterranean quadrant. It’s a routine exercise, not unlike Steadfast Noon – and like its Northern counterpart, its connection to the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the threats posed by Russia, is clear.
- As noted by the United States, Mare Aperto aims to “strengthen and enhance the combat readiness of participating assets. Its aim is to train and test commands, staffs and crews during a series of activities at sea in a realistic, multi-dimensional scenario, specifically a NATO Article 5 collective defence operation.”
The expert’s take. “In recent years, the Russian presence in the Mediterranean has been substantial. Especially in theatres that are very important for Italy, such as Libya and the Sahel,” said Arturo Varvelli, head of the Rome office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, when reached by Decode39.
- “In light of the engagement in Ukraine, it will be important to assess in the near future whether Russia will be able to play on so many chess boards in this difficult situation,” he added. “At this time of great tension with Russia, it is inevitable for NATO to be very alert and Italy to be in the front row.”
Image: America’s Navy
