NATO Neptune Strike military exercise starts in Mediterranean Sea
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NATO kicks-off a multi-domain exercise in the Mediterranean Sea.
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NATO announced Friday the launch of the Neptune Strike
NATO announced Friday the launch of the Neptune Strike (NEST 22-2), a multi-domain exercise in the Mediterranean Sea by the alliance's Naval Striking and Support Forces.
According to the alliance, the exercise is expected to be completed by October 28, explaining that the "NEST 22-2 highlights the natural evolution of NATO’s ability to integrate maritime warfare capabilities of a carrier strike group to support Allied defence."
NATO forces will simulate air operations with the participation of land-based fighters, air-to-air refueling tankers, and airborne early warning and control aircraft, the military alliance mentioned.
On his part, Christoph Pliet, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations Allied Air Command, said the military exercise "provides a prime opportunity to improve our capacity to work together with Allies in complex and increasingly contested environment."
"Valuable training for NATO multi-domain enhances our vigilance and underlines our commitment to deter and defend," Pliet added.
It is noteworthy that Neptune Strike is the third phase of NATO’s long-planned Project Neptune series, which was elaborated in 2020. Two previous military exercises under this project were conducted in February and May 2022.
NATO could hold emergency summit next week: Warsaw
On Tuesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda mentioned that an emergency NATO summit may happen next week.
According to Duda, he had a phone call with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, during which he said he conveyed [Ukrainian President] Zelensky's request for an extraordinary summit.
"I conveyed to Secretary General Stoltenberg the request of President Zelensky to convene an extraordinary NATO summit at the level of heads of state and government," the Polish President said.
"Mr. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that at this moment, he was very seriously considering such a step - convening such a meeting," he underlined, adding that "there is a high probability that this meeting will take place next week."
NATO nuclear drills
Following the Polish President's statements, Stoltenberg announced that NATO had plans to hold nuclear deterrence exercises next week.
"Next week, NATO will hold its long-planned deterrence exercise Steadfast Noon. This is routine training, which happens every year to keep our deterrence safe, secure, and effective," Stoltenberg told a press conference.
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