# NATO Steadfast Noon exercises face Italian inquiry > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nato-steadfast-noon-nuclear-deterrence-exercises > Updated: 2026-10-14T14:45:14.000Z. Sources: 37. Developments: 4. NATO’s annual ‘Steadfast Noon’ nuclear deterrence exercise has commenced in Italy, involving aircraft from 17 member nations. The training utilizes simulated scenarios rather than live nuclear weapons to test defense procedures and maintain readiness. The Dutch contribution features F-35 fighter jets from the Volkel Air Base squadron. The Netherlands is noted as the first European nation to achieve nuclear certification for the F-35, with aircraft adapted to carry U.S. B61 tactical nuclear bombs under NATO’s nuclear-sharing arrangements. The Dutch Ministry of Defence stated the exercise is intended to ‘preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression’ and clarified that the training is not directed at any specific country. In Italy, the exercise has prompted a parliamentary inquiry from lawmaker Angelo Bonelli of the Greens. The inquiry questions whether the Italian government has commissioned studies on the projected short, medium, and long-term health impacts, including expected deaths and injuries, resulting from a nuclear conflict. Bonelli is seeking to determine if Italy will suspend participation based on potential humanitarian data. The lawmaker also highlighted that the exercise’s planning was disclosed via aeronautical information publications rather than official parliamentary communication. He further questioned the lack of parallel exercises designed for public management of civil, health, and environmental emergencies related to nuclear scenarios. The current maneuvers involve extensive aerial and naval operations, including drone activities and live firing, across various regions of the Italian peninsula, including Sicily. ## Claims - The exercise uses training bombs instead of actual nuclear warheads. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Three Tornado aircraft from Tactical Air Wing 33 are being relocated to Aviano Air Base in northern Italy for the exercise. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The scale of the 'Steadfast Noon' exercise is comparable to the previous year. (corroborated by 19 sources) - A total of 17 nations are participating in the 'Steadfast Noon' exercise. (corroborated by 18 sources) - NATO nuclear policy chief Nassima Barrows stated the exercise aims to demonstrate NATO's readiness and capability to defend the alliance. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Nuclear experts estimate that approximately 100 US B61-12 bombs are currently stored across six European air bases. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-14: Italy: Parliamentary inquiry launched over NATO nuclear exercise Italian lawmaker Angelo Bonelli has filed a parliamentary inquiry questioning the safety and transparency of NATO’s Steadfast Noon 2026 nuclear exercise occurring in Italian airspace. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-parliamentary-inquiry-launched-over-nato-nuclear-exercise ### 2026-10-13: Netherlands deploys nuclear-capable F-35s for NATO exercise The Netherlands is deploying nuclear-capable F-35 fighter jets to Italy for NATO’s annual Steadfast Noon exercise to rehearse simulated nuclear defense and deterrence scenarios. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netherlands-deploys-nuclear-capable-f-35s-for-nato-exercise ### 2026-10-12: NATO begins annual 'Steadfast Noon' nuclear deterrence exercise NATO has begun its annual 'Steadfast Noon' nuclear deterrence exercise with 17 nations participating. The drill involves simulating the transport and handling of nuclear weapons using training bombs. 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-deploys-tornado-jets-for-nato-nuclear-exercise-2 ### 2026-10-05: NATO Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercise scheduled for October 2026 NATO’s annual ‘Steadfast Noon’ nuclear deterrence exercise will involve 14 countries and 71 aircraft in October 2026, amid protests in Germany calling for the withdrawal of military forces. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nato-steadfast-noon-nuclear-deterrence-exercise-scheduled-for-october-2026 --- Cite as: NATO Steadfast Noon exercises face Italian inquiry. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nato-steadfast-noon-nuclear-deterrence-exercises