NATO kicked off its annual Dynamic Manta anti-submarine warfare exercise today in the Mediterranean, with this year’s iteration including an American nuclear-powered attack sub and the French carrier strike group as it passes by the exercise’s operating area off Sicily. The exercise, which runs through March 5, includes submarines, surface ships and aircraft from eight...
Category: <span>NATO</span>
Belgium joins the NATO Flight Training Europe initiative
On February 19 2021, Belgium joined the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) High Visibility Project. Belgium joined Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Turkey, to work on establishing a network of pilot training facilities across Europe. The NFTE aims to ensure that sufficient state-of-the-art pilot training is...
13 Allies and one NATO partner expand munitions cooperation amid significant success
Thirteen Allies and one partner nation have on 19 February committed to creating a multinational solution for addressing all of their air munition needs. The Defence Ministers of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and partner nation Finland, signed an amendment to the...
NATO, EU top leaders urge US, EU unity
BRUSSELS – NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and top EU officials Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel encouraged strengthening ties between the bloc and the US on Friday. The trio of leaders welcomed new US President Joe Biden and endorsed opening a new chapter in transatlantic relations. “We must reinforce our unity that unity derives...
NATO hasn’t reached decision on whether to leave Afghanistan as deadline looms
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has not yet decided if the 10,000 troops it has in Afghanistan will leave the country by May. Last February the United States brokered a deal with the Taliban that would usher in a permanent cease-fire and see the departure of all foreign forces by May 2021. There are about 2,500 U.S. troops...
US Defense Secretary tells NATO allies US is reengaged but warns of Russian threat
In his first appearance on the world stage meeting NATO allies, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wasted no time telling them that the Trump era of strained relations is over. “The secretary reaffirmed the President’s message that the United States intends to revitalize our relationship with the alliance,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters about the...
NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance force achieves initial operational capability
MONS, Belgium – NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, General Tod Wolters, has declared the NATO AGS RQ-4D remotely piloted aircraft initially operationally ready to conduct missions. This is a major milestone for the programme, which will substantially increase the Alliance’s awareness, indications and warnings of what is happening around its borders. “In November, we recently announced the...
NATO Will Not Leave Afghanistan Before ‘Time Is Right’
Taliban violence has surged in recent months amid stuttering peace talks with the Kabul government. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday the alliance will not withdraw its troops from Afghanistan “before the time is right,” ahead of a discussion by defense ministers on the deployment. The ministers of the 30 NATO member states will on Wednesday...
Qatar signs agreement to open offices at NATO HQ in Brussels
Qatar and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) signed an agreement to open Qatar’s mission offices and military representation at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, in implementation of the arrangements of the Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP). On behalf of the Qatari side, the head of Qatar’s missions to the European Union and the...
NATO supports women and girls in science
On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, discover how three young women are making great strides in technology and innovation, with support from the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme. In 2015, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly established this International Day, held every 11 February, to...