Operation Enduring Dart 26, NATO’s largest military exercise this year, has begun on the Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein. Units of the alliance’s rapid reaction force have landed at the Putlos training ground near the German island of Fehmarn.
The scenario involves the rapid deployment of troops from Southern Europe to the eastern flank. The key feature of the exercise is the absence of direct US participation, according to Bild.
The actual landing involves 15 warships and approximately 2,600 troops. In total, approximately 10,000 troops, over 1,500 pieces of military equipment, and 17 warships from 13 countries are participating in the exercise. The largest contingents are from Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Greece. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is leading the exercise.
The Allied Rapid Reaction Force is known as the “spearhead” of NATO. In a crisis, it must be ready to deploy up to 40,000 troops within ten days. The decision to deploy is made by NATO’s North Atlantic Council.