NATO will conduct an exercise involving 90,000 soldiers for several months

Maneuvers on a scale not seen since the Cold War. Some 90,000 NATO soldiers will participate for several months in a major military exercise organized by the Atlantic Alliance, against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine. “This will be a clear demonstration of our unity, our strength and our determination to protect each other”declared Thursday, January 18, the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, American General Christopher Cavoli, during a press conference.

These maneuvers, which will extend from the Atlantic to the eastern flank of NATO, will take the form of a conflict scenario against a “comparable-sized opponent”, according to Alliance terminology. NATO thus designates, without naming it, Russia. These exercises will notably include the reinforcement of troops on the European continent “from North America”said the general.

Some 50 warships, 80 aircraft and 1,100 combat vehicles will take part in this vast “war game”. The last exercise of this magnitude, called “Reforger”, took place in 1988, at the height of the Cold War.