MONS, Belgium – NATO’s exercise STEADFAST DETERRENCE 2025 is ongoing at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and United States European Command (USEUCOM), marking a major milestone in the Alliance’s effort to enhance collective defence and operational integration.
Planned and coordinated by SHAPE and directed by NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre (JWC), the computer-assisted command post exercise (CAX/CPX) is the first of its kind to train and certify SHAPE as a NATO Strategic Warfighting Headquarters (SWHQ). The exercise is considered one of NATO’s most complex this year, focusing on multi-domain readiness and interoperability in the Euro-Atlantic region.
STEADFAST DETERRENCE 2025 is the first ever opportunity to train and evaluate NATO’s Strategic Warfighting HQ at scale
The exercise employs a fictitious, yet geographically accurate scenario, based on the North Atlantic Council-approved “360 Multi-Domain Setting," to simulate a theatre-wide crisis and test strategic defence plan activation among all 32 NATO member states.
“STEADFAST DETERRENCE 2025 is the first ever opportunity to train and evaluate NATO’s Strategic Warfighting HQ at scale, side by side with USEUCOM and within a theatre-wide crisis,” said SHAPE Chief of Staff General Markus Laubenthal. “It really makes us proud to execute an exercise which is truly at the heart of NATO’s warfighting transformation.”
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, or SHAPE, is located in Casteau near Mons, Belgium. SHAPE is home to Allied Command Operations (ACO). The mission of ACO and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) is to contribute to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of NATO member nations in its area of responsibility. - NATO Photo by SHAPE Public Affairs Office
The transition of SHAPE into a certified warfighting headquarters reflects a significant shift in NATO’s strategic posture, emphasizing enhanced readiness, collective defence, and adaptability to evolving security and technological challenges.
USEUCOM also serves as a primary training audience for the exercise, operating in parallel with SHAPE to improve coordination under the framework of NATO’s new Force Model. The exercise is designed to deepen operational ties between the two strategic commands while reinforcing NATO’s ability to respond rapidly and cohesively to emerging threats across multiple domains.
Planning for STEADFAST DETERRENCE 2025 began in the fall of 2023 and involved extensive collaboration among NATO Allies to ensure realistic and integrated training outcomes.
The exercise is expected to conclude later this month, with NATO leadership closely evaluating outcomes to inform future strategic developments and operational preparedness.