NATO Launches Large-Scale Military Exercises, U.S. Does Not Participate

Source: Global Times
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【环球时报驻德国特约记者 青木 环球时报驻西班牙特约记者 徐永晟】在格陵兰岛争端危机尚未解决之际,北约日前在德国启动了今年规模最大的军事演习。此次演习有来自11个成员国的约1万名士兵参与,但美国没有参加。

据西班牙《先锋报》2月2日报道,此次演习代号为“坚定之矛-2026”,将从1月持续至3月底。该演习由位于荷兰布伦瑟姆的北约联合部队司令部统一指挥,司令为德国空军上将英戈·格哈茨,参与国包括意大利、希腊、德国、捷克、西班牙、立陶宛、保加利亚、土耳其、法国、比利时和英国。

德新社报道称,此次演习覆盖北约参与国的陆军、空军、海军以及太空和网络部队,将动用1500余辆军用车辆、20多架飞机,还有17艘海军舰艇。其中,海上力量由西班牙海军负责指挥,地面行动由意大利主导,空中力量协调则由土耳其承担。据北约方面透露,此次演习也是北约新成立的快速反应部队首次投入部署。目前,一支由西班牙和土耳其舰艇组成的联合编队已从西班牙罗塔基地启航,前往北海和波罗的海海域。

此次海上作战力量指挥官、西班牙罗塔海军基地司令官普伊格表示,海上安全在北约整体防务体系中具有基础性意义。他表示,全球90%以上的贸易依赖海上运输。“如果海上通道不安全,北约就无法实现有效增援、形成威慑或开展防御行动。”     

关于美国未参与此次演习的问题,北约方面表示,美方缺席源于成员国轮换安排,此次演习早在两年前就已完成规划。不过,美国总统特朗普近期对欧洲盟友发表的强硬言论,以及其在格陵兰岛问题上的立场,已在部分欧洲国家内部引发关于“北约凝聚力”的讨论。对此,格哈茨和普伊格均表示无需过度解读。格哈茨称,美国今年并非盟军反应部队的轮值参与国,但美军仍在欧洲保持广泛部署,并在北约指挥体系中发挥作用。普伊格表示,西班牙与美国在罗塔基地的日常军事合作保持顺畅,该基地为西班牙主权基地,供美方使用。

Classification
Region
Europe
Analytical Domain
Operational
Primary Category
Military Operations
Subcategory
Naval Engagement
SALUTE Report
Size
approximately 10,000 soldiers from 11 NATO member countries
Activity
NATO has launched its largest military exercise of the year, named 'Steadfast Lancer-2026', which involves various military branches and operations
Location
Germany
Unit
NATO, led by General Ingo Gerhatz of the German Air Force, with participation from Italy, Greece, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Turkey, France, Belgium, and the UK
Time
from January to the end of March 2026
Equipment
over 1,500 military vehiclesmore than 20 aircraft17 naval vessels
Summary

NATO launched its largest military exercise of the year, 'Steadfast Lancer-2026', in Germany, involving around 10,000 soldiers from 11 member countries. The exercise, running from January to March 2026, includes over 1,500 military vehicles, more than 20 aircraft, and 17 naval vessels. The U.S. is absent from this exercise due to pre-planned scheduling, while the operation marks the first deployment of NATO's rapid response force.

Key Facts
  • NATO's largest military exercise of the year involves approximately 10,000 soldiers from 11 member countries.
  • The exercise is named 'Steadfast Lancer-2026' and runs from January to March 2026.
  • The exercise includes over 1,500 military vehicles, more than 20 aircraft, and 17 naval vessels.
  • The U.S. is not participating due to prior scheduling arrangements.
  • The exercise marks the first deployment of NATO's newly established rapid response force.