Jan 9 2025
Video: Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025 explained
MONS, Belgium - In response to an evolving and unpredictable security environment, nations have recommitted NATO to deterrence and defence, approving the Alliance’s first set of defence plans since 1989. A critical component of NATO’s plans, which are designed to safeguard the Euro-Atlantic’s one billion inhabitants, is having high-readiness forces across all domains to rapidly respond to any emerging or known threat.
At the center of this concept is NATO’s new robust and agile Allied Reaction Force. Throughout January and February 2025, NATO will conduct Exercise Steadfast Dart in order to test and train the operational deployment of the Allied Reaction Force and rapid reinforcement of NATO assets located along its eastern flank.
Steadfast Dart 25 is an alert and deployment exercise, and the first time the Allied Reaction Force will exercise an operational deployment since the organisation’s establishment on July 1, 2024.
The exercise will demonstrate NATO’s ability to activate the Allied Reaction Force, and coordinate its swift transit to where it can deliver strategic deterrence effects by bolstering forces already situated in location. Steadfast Dart 25 will showcase the Allied Reaction Force as a strategic, high-readiness, multi-domain and multinational capability that can be deployed and employed rapidly to strengthen deterrence in peacetime and crisis, and support the Alliance’s defence in conflict.
NATO exercises such as this are defensive, transparent and proportionate, and conducted in full respect of our international obligations.