STEADFAST COBALT 2020 is NATO’s largest Communications and Information System exercise which will be conducted by the NATO CIS Group from 14 September to 9 October 2020.
As a result of COVID-19 NATO is taking precautionary measures and for the first time in 15 years, this exercise will take place in a virtual environment. STEADFAST COBALT is an annual exercise that kick starts NATO Response Force preparation activities.
This exercise allows components and units contributing to NATO Response Force missions to verify and validate their Communications and Information System capability in support of NRF missions.
STEADFAST COBALT will validate Communications and Information System connectivity and interoperability among participating NRF units. For instance: data exchanges by maintaining communication among combat units of the NATO Response Force, joint and component headquarters worldwide.
The aim is to improve readiness and to increase speed by ensuring that all contributing units are ready and prepared to deploy CIS in support of NRF Missions.
“With the new approach for STEADFAST COBALT 2020, NATO proves its ability to adapt to any developments even during a pandemic like COVID19”, said Commander NCISG Major General Wolfgang E. Renner.
Background information:
Over 1100 service members from Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Turkey will participate in this exercise.
Contributing units are from NATO Allied Air Command, Joint Force Command Brunssum, Joint Force Command Naples, Joint Warfare Command, NATO Allied Land Command, NATO Allied Maritime Command, NATO Communications and Information Systems Group, NATO Special Operations Headquarters, and Supreme Headquarter Allied Power Europe (SHAPE).
Through STEADFAST COBALT 20, NATO Allies’ remain united with a strong commitment and ability to defend the Alliance. This exercise will enable interoperability, skills and capabilities required to combat increasingly complex security threats in the CIS-domain.
For further information, please contact the Public Affairs Officer at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Belgium, Tel +32 6544 7854, E-mail shape.mediaops@shape.nato.int.