NATO STDE24: understanding the purpose of military?exercises
By Jairo Císcar Ruiz
In recent weeks, there has been exhaustive media attention regarding NATO's launch of its largest exercise since the Cold War1, the Steadfast Defender 24 (STDE24).2 The exercise, comprising more than 90 thousand troops and spanning 6 months, is currently being held across Europe and the North Atlantic Sea. The news was met with diverse reactions. Some have speculated that NATO’s maneuvers were in preparation for a potential World War III3, while others have thought of it as a direct provocation to Russia.5 Exercises can be seen as direct preparations of war. In this regard, we have the infamous example of Russia’s use of their February 2022 exercise United Resolve6 to mask their preparations for the invasion of Ukraine later on the 24th. of that month. However, few publications have sought to explain what military exercises are, what they are about, and how such activities are integral to the standard operations and preparation of any military force. This article aims to shed some light on what military exercises are and the importance of STDE24.?
The past and present of military exercises
Military exercises have been fundamental aspects of military training for as long as armies have existed. Training and readiness are key to fulfilling the tasks at hand, which is why they have existed for centuries, from the Roman naumachia to the medieval jousts and beyond. However, the modern concept and use of military exercises began with the professionalization of armies, especially in the Prussian armies during the late 18th century2, Military exercises have grown in complexity and range since the First and Second World Wars driven mainly by technological advances. This evolution reached its peak during the Cold War with NATO's REFORGER series of exercises. The series, held between 1969 and 1993, tested the capability of the U.S. to deploy forces in West Germany with a short notice, in response to an escalation by the Warsaw Pact. Involving more than 100 thousand troops in some of its editions, NATO’s DEFENDER series are heirs of the REFORGER era.
Contemporary NATO exercises, in their various forms, are an essential aspect of the alliance's efforts to maintain readiness, interoperability, and cohesion among its members and partners. The exercises are executed in three distinctive forms: Live Exercise (LIVEX), Command Post Exercise (CPX), or Exercise studies. A LIVEX involves the participation of actual forces, such as the ones currently being held in Europe. On the other hand, a CPX is a headquarters-based exercise that involves commanders, their staff, and the communications processes within and between the participating headquarters. During a CPX, NATO and friendly and or opposing forces are simulated. This is normally done through a computer system (CAX). Lastly, Exercise studies may be executed via war games, lectures, discussion groups, or an operational analysis, with a mixed component of academia and intellectual effort8.?
These three types of exercises serve three distinctive but shared purposes. First, they create an opportunity for military forces from different member states to train together in various scenarios. These can range from humanitarian assistance to large-scale combat operations. This type of training enhances readiness and ensures that NATO forces are prepared to respond effectively to any potential threats or crises.?
Second, by participating in joint exercises, NATO forces develop interoperability. Which refers to the ability of different military units, equipment, and personnel from various nations to operate together effectively. Interoperability is crucial to ensure that NATO can deploy cohesive and coordinated multinational forces when necessary. Moreover, interoperability is linked to deterrence and strategic messaging, as NATO demonstrates its unity and determination to defend its member states and uphold the principles of collective defense outlined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. These exercises contribute to deter potential adversaries and reassure NATO allies of its commitment to collective security.
Finally, through these exercises, NATO is able to test and evaluate its procedures, tactics, techniques, and equipment in a realistic operational environment. This helps identify areas for improvement and ensures that NATO forces are continuously adapting to evolving security challenges. Additionally, NATO certifies units and HQ’s/Commands in order to ensure their readiness to undertake their duties within the NATO military structure.
Exercises in NATO are directed by the Bi-SC Directive 075-003, on Collective Training and Exercises3. This directive provides the direction and guidelines on how to plan, execute, and assess NATO exercises. The NATO Exercise Planning Process (NEPP)? is outlined within 075-003, and consists of several key phases.
The first is Requirement Identification. NATO's military authorities, in consultation with member states, identify the training and readiness requirements that need to be addressed through exercises. These requirements are based on NATO's strategic objectives, emerging security challenges, and collective defense needs.
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The second phase is Concept Development. During this phase, NATO develops the concept for the exercise, including its objectives, scenario, participating forces, and logistical requirements. The concept ensures that the exercise will effectively address the identified training and readiness requirements.
The third is Planning and Preparation in which NATO's military commands and member states collaborate to plan and prepare for the execution of the exercise. This involves coordinating the participation of forces, developing training schedules, securing training locations, and ensuring that all logistical and administrative arrangements are in place.
The execution phase is the fourth step. Here, the exercise is conducted according to the previously established plan, with participating forces engaging in training scenarios designed to meet the exercise objectives. During the execution phase, NATO monitors the progress of the exercise, assesses performance, and addresses any issues or challenges that arise.
The final phase is Evaluation and Lessons Learned. Following the conclusion of the exercise, NATO conducts an evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the training and identify lessons learned. This feedback is used to advise future exercise planning and helps improve NATO's overall readiness and capabilities, and this phase is often linked to the concept development phase.
Steadfast Defender 24 (STDE24)
By considering the historical relevance and the theoretical frameworks and objectives of military exercises, one can gain a deeper understanding of STDE24, currently underway from mid-January to June of this year. According to the previously established classification, the STDE24 is a LIVEX, scheduled by Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)10.?
The nature of an exercise can be determined by the last two initials of the name, as established in the NATO naming convention11. Due to the extraordinary size and nature of STDE24 its name breaks the convention, in contrast to the previous CPX/CAX Steadfast Jupiter 23.12
As a LIVEX, STDE24 will comprise over 90,000 service members from the 31 NATO allies and NATO'S most recent accession, Sweden. The innovation of STDE24 is that it is an overarching umbrella of a series of national (ex. German Quadriga) and multinational (ex. Brilliant Jump 24, which finished recently, or Polish Dragon 24) exercises over a 6 month period. STDE24 is not a single LIVEX, but a joint and sustained effort to train, as accurately as possible, to real deployments and operations through a series of linked exercises.? It is taking place in different locations of the Atlantic and European area that provide a consistent and realistic scenario for the conduction of joint operations. STDE24 is based on a fictitious Article 5 scenario triggered by an aggression by a near-peer adversary. STDE24 will have more than 1,100 combat vehicles, including more than 150 tanks, 500 infantry fighting vehicles, 400 armored personnel carriers, and hundreds of naval and aerial assets. In addition, this type of Major Joint Exercises also count with observers such as NGOs, that are subjected to the approval of each nation.
In conclusion, the realm of military exercises is inherently technical and complex, constituting a routine aspect of any military organization's responsibilities. These exercises are regulated by international controls and treaties, thus arguably there is no cause for alarm in the upcoming months. NATO's preparations and training efforts are geared towards defense rather than aggression, aiming to safeguard the future of billions of citizens across generations.