In order to strengthen the eastern flank of NATO against the Russian threat, the “Allied Resilience Force” is conducting its first major exercise. The exercise named Steadfast Dart includes approximately 10,000 soldiers from 9 countries, including Turkey. The aim of the exercise is to demonstrate the rapid deployment capability to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank. Thousands of troops, hundreds of armored vehicles, helicopters, ships… Around 10,000 NATO troops from 9 countries are participating in the Steadfast Dart exercise held in Romania.Turkey, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom armies are taking part in the first major exercise of NATO’s Allied Resilience Force. The exercise is aimed at demonstrating the ability to rapidly deploy forces to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.
This exercise, named Steadfast Dart, showcases the new force that will defend every inch of NATO alliance territory. European leaders who met in Paris on Monday had agreed to additional funding to reinforce the Resilience Force. Countries like the UK, Sweden, and Germany have expressed openness to sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if the US provides security guarantees. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had stated in a press conference in Poland that it is not possible for NATO allies to assume that the US will be present in Europe forever. It remains to be seen what steps European countries will take to ensure continental security in the absence of the US.