At the beginning of 2024, more than twenty different NATO exercises are planned to be held near the borders of Belarus and Russia. This means conducting 1-2 exercises every month for 10-14 days each, or virtually non-stop exercises with short breaks for changing polygons.
Meanwhile, one of the largest maneuvers of the alliance in Europe will be the Steadfast Defender-24 (15.02-25.05). More than 100 thousand servicemen from 32 countries will take part in them, where Poland will play a key role. The main episodes will be played out mainly in Poland and the Baltic States. The purpose of Steadfast Defender-24 is to work out the actions of the North Atlantic Alliance in the event of Russian aggression against one of the neighboring countries.
At the same time, 16 more national studies will be organized on a single operational background with Steadfast Defender-24. Among them, Dragon-24 exercises on the territory of Poland (25.05-14.03). 15 thousand Polish military and 5 thousand from the USA and other NATO countries will take part in the "Polish" maneuvers. From Poland, the 11th td and the 16th md will be involved, as well as units from the MTR, Air Force and Navy.
The maneuvers will involve more than 3.5 thousand units of military equipment, including American, Spanish and French BBMs. During the Dragon-24 exercises, the crossing of the Vistula will be practiced.
In parallel with Steadfast Defender-2024, Brilliant Jump-24 is planned with the involvement of the NATO Joint High-Readiness Task Force. Later, during Dragon-24 at the Dravsko-Pomorsk training ground, they will be coordinated with the 11th td of the Polish Armed Forces.
Among other things, Defender-24 maneuvers will be held in early 2024, including Saber Strike-24, Immediate Response-24 and Swift Response-24.
Taking into account that during the NATO maneuvers, the strategic deployment of the Armed Forces and the operational transfer of American troops to Poland and the Baltic States are being worked out, it should be borne in mind that the next NATO exercises may create a potential opportunity for unleashing aggression against the Union State.
Nikolai Astrovsky
