{"id":28121440,"date":"2026-10-15T10:47:34","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T08:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/nato-nuclear-sharing-explained-steadfast-noon-dual-capable-aircraft-b61\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T11:12:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T09:12:02","slug":"nato-nuclear-sharing-explained-steadfast-noon-dual-capable-aircraft-b61","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/it\/nato-nuclear-sharing-explained-steadfast-noon-dual-capable-aircraft-b61\/","title":{"rendered":"NATO Nuclear Sharing Explained: Steadfast Noon and the Dual-Capable Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<style>.et_pb_title_container h1.entry-title { padding-top: 40px !important; }<\/style>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- mfsh:top -->\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n.mfsh-trigger{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;height:44px;padding:0 18px;margin:0 0 26px;border:2px solid 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The exercise is called Steadfast Noon. This year it began on 13 October in Italy, with 17 nations taking part.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is the visible part of NATO nuclear sharing, one of the stranger arrangements of the Cold War. The bombs are American, but the aircraft that would drop them, and the pilots trained to do it, are often German, Belgian, Dutch or Italian. Here is how it works.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"background:#f4f6f9;border-left:4px solid #5C91FF;padding:18px 22px;margin:22px 0 28px;font-size:15px;line-height:1.7\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-weight:700;color:#0d1117\">Quick Facts<\/p><ul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:18px\"><li><strong>What it is:<\/strong> US nuclear weapons forward-deployed in Europe, with allied aircraft able to deliver them<\/li><li><strong>Who controls the weapons:<\/strong> The United States keeps full custody and control<\/li><li><strong>Decision body:<\/strong> NATO Nuclear Planning Group (all allies except France)<\/li><li><strong>Aircraft:<\/strong> Dual-capable aircraft (DCA) provided by allies<\/li><li><strong>Weapon:<\/strong> B61 gravity bomb, now the B61-12<\/li><li><strong>Annual exercise:<\/strong> Steadfast Noon, no live weapons<\/li><li><strong>Steadfast Noon 2026:<\/strong> From 13 October, hosted by Italy, 17 nations<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">American Bombs, Allied Jets<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to NATO, its nuclear deterrent relies partly on US nuclear weapons forward-deployed in Europe, together with aircraft and infrastructure provided by the allies concerned. The United States keeps full custody and control of those weapons in peacetime. If the alliance ever decided to use them, they would be released to allied crews flying their own national aircraft, called dual-capable aircraft (DCA) because they can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"background:#f8f9fa;border-left:4px solid #5C91FF;padding:20px 22px;margin:18px 0 24px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7\"><em>&ldquo;Allies maintain political control of all aspects of NATO's nuclear deterrence at all times and under all circumstances.&rdquo;<\/em><div style=\"margin-top:10px;font-size:14px;color:#555\"><strong>NATO<\/strong> &mdash; official description of its nuclear deterrence policy<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That political control runs through the Nuclear Planning Group, founded in 1966. Every ally except France, which keeps its own independent force outside the arrangement, is a member. NATO does not officially confirm where the bombs are stored. Independent researchers such as the Federation of American Scientists have long reported that they are kept at <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/air-bases\/kleine-brogel\/\">Kleine-Brogel<\/a> in Belgium, <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/air-bases\/buechel\/\">B\u00fcchel<\/a> in Germany, <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/air-bases\/aviano\/\">Aviano<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/air-bases\/ghedi\/\">Ghedi<\/a> in Italy, <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/air-bases\/volkel\/\">Volkel<\/a> in the Netherlands and <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/air-bases\/incirlik\/\">\u0130ncirlik<\/a> in Turkey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0 6px\"><iframe class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-hlLADqSEjM\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin:0 0 24px;font-style:italic\">NATO TV footage of allied aircraft during exercise Steadfast Noon.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">The Jets That Carry the Mission<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For decades the European DCA fleet has been the <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/aircraft\/f-16-fighting-falcon\/\">F-16<\/a> in Belgium and the Netherlands and the <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/aircraft\/panavia-tornado\/\">Panavia Tornado<\/a> in Germany and Italy. That is changing. In October 2023 the US certified the <a href=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/aircraft\/f-35-lightning-ii\/\">F-35A<\/a> to carry the B61-12, the newest version of the bomb, making it the first fifth-generation nuclear-capable aircraft. Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are all moving their nuclear mission to the F-35A.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin:0 0 24px;width:100%\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/10\/luftwaffe-tornado-buchel-air-base.jpg\" alt=\"Luftwaffe Tornado landing at Buchel Air Base\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;max-width:100%;display:block\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin-top:6px;font-style:italic\">A German Air Force Tornado landing at B\u00fcchel, the home of Germany's nuclear-capable Tornado wing. The F-35A is replacing it in that role. Photo: Alf van Beem \/ CC0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Germany's first F-35s are already in training in the United States, and the Tornados of B\u00fcchel, which German regional press reported were taking part in Steadfast Noon again this year, are in their final years. The Netherlands has already declared initial nuclear certification for its F-35As.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"background:#f8f9fa;border-left:4px solid #d32f2f;padding:20px 22px;margin:18px 0 24px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7\"><em>&ldquo;The stage is set for the tactical nuclear weapons upgrade in Europe&rdquo;<\/em><div style=\"margin-top:10px;font-size:14px;color:#555\"><strong>Hans Kristensen<\/strong> &mdash; Federation of American Scientists, to Breaking Defense, March 2024<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"padding-top:22px\">What Steadfast Noon Actually Trains<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steadfast Noon involves no live weapons. NATO describes it as routine training that tests the procedures behind the deterrent: loading drills with inert bombs, communications, command and control, and long-range flights that rehearse the mission profile. The aircraft involved include the DCA themselves plus the jets that would support them, such as escort fighters, tankers, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. A different ally hosts it each year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin:0 0 24px;width:100%\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/migflug.com\/afterburner\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/10\/steadfast-noon-2023-netherlands-f-16-taxi.jpg\" alt=\"Netherlands F-16 taxiing during Steadfast Noon 2023\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;max-width:100%;display:block\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin-top:6px;font-style:italic\">A Netherlands F-16 taxis for Steadfast Noon in northern Italy in October 2023. U.S. Air Force photo \/ public domain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NATO stresses that the timing is planned long in advance and is not linked to current events. In 2026, Secretary General Mark Rutte used the same message: \"NATO is a defensive Alliance.\" The point of rehearsing in public is to make sure Russia knows the rehearsal happens.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0 6px\"><iframe class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7u9M2rKDYYY\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin:0 0 24px;font-style:italic\">Euronews report as Steadfast Noon wound down in the Netherlands in 2025.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:24px 0 6px\"><iframe class=\"skip-lazy\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/__EtdAUIukM\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#777;text-align:center;margin:0 0 24px;font-style:italic\">NBC News' look inside NATO's nuclear exercise.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Sources: NATO (nuclear deterrence policy page and Steadfast Noon 2026 announcement); Breaking Defense; Federation of American Scientists; Rhein-Zeitung; U.S. Air Force<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- mfsh:bottom -->\r\n\r\n<button type=\"button\" class=\"mfsh-trigger mfsh-bottom\" data-mfsh-placement=\"bottom\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><svg><use href=\"#mfsh-i-share\"\/><\/svg>Share this story<\/button>\r\n\r\n<!-- \/mfsh:bottom -->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<style>.mfq{margin:34px 0 8px}.mfq h2{font:26px\/1.3 \"Gilroy semiBold\",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#0d1117;padding-top:22px;margin:0 0 6px}.mfq .qa details{border-top:1px solid #5C91FF;margin:0;padding:0}.mfq .qa details:last-of-type{border-bottom:1px solid #e2e7ee}.mfq .qa summary{cursor:pointer;list-style:none;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;gap:16px;padding:22px 26px;font:18px\/1.7 \"Gilroy semiBold\",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#0d1117}.mfq .qa summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}.mfq .qa summary::after{content:\"+\";font:24px Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#3568e0;flex:0 0 auto}.mfq .qa details[open] summary::after{content:\"\\2013\"}.mfq .qa details:hover summary{color:#3568e0}.mfq .qa .a{font:16px\/1.7 \"Gilroy regular\",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#454e5e;padding:0 26px 24px}.mfq .qa .a a{color:#3568e0}@media(max-width:680px){.mfq .qa summary{padding:18px 14px;font-size:17px}.mfq .qa .a{padding:0 14px 20px}}<\/style>\r\n\r\n\r\n<section class=\"mfq\"><h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><div class=\"qa\"><details open><summary>What is NATO nuclear sharing?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">NATO nuclear sharing is the arrangement under which US nuclear weapons are forward-deployed in Europe and certain allies provide dual-capable aircraft and crews able to deliver them. The United States keeps custody and control of the weapons in peacetime, while allies share political decision-making through the Nuclear Planning Group.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>What is Steadfast Noon?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Steadfast Noon is NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise. It trains the procedures and aircraft involved in NATO's nuclear mission but uses no live weapons. Steadfast Noon 2026 began on 13 October in Italy with 17 nations.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Which aircraft can carry NATO's B61 nuclear bombs?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">NATO's dual-capable aircraft have been F-16s in Belgium and the Netherlands and Tornados in Germany and Italy. The F-35A was certified to carry the B61-12 in October 2023, and these four countries are moving the nuclear role to their F-35As.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Who controls NATO's nuclear weapons?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">The United States retains full custody and control of its nuclear weapons deployed in Europe. NATO allies maintain political control of the alliance's nuclear deterrence through the Nuclear Planning Group, of which every ally except France is a member.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Where are US nuclear weapons stored in Europe?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">NATO does not officially confirm the locations. Independent researchers such as the Federation of American Scientists report that they are stored at Kleine-Brogel in Belgium, B\u00fcchel in Germany, Aviano and Ghedi in Italy, Volkel in the Netherlands and \u0130ncirlik in Turkey.<\/div><\/details><details><summary>Does France take part in NATO nuclear sharing?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">No. France has its own independent nuclear force and has chosen not to participate in NATO's Nuclear Planning Group or the nuclear sharing arrangement.<\/div><\/details><\/div><\/section>\r\n\r\n\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is NATO nuclear sharing?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"NATO nuclear sharing is the arrangement under which US nuclear weapons are forward-deployed in Europe and certain allies provide dual-capable aircraft and crews able to deliver them. 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