STAVANGER, Norway – NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre recently concluded STEADFAST DUEL 2024, NATO’s largest computer-assisted command post exercise of the year, was designed to enhance the Alliance’s readiness and warfare advantage. It was scheduled by Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and directed by the Joint Warfare Centre which falls under the auspices of Allied Command Transformation.
A Complex Challenge:
STEADFAST DUEL 2024 focused on simulating complex scenarios, including multi-domain operations against peer adversaries and terrorist groups. The exercise aimed to test NATO’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively to a range of threats, from traditional warfare to cyberattacks and hybrid threats. Additionally, STEADFAST DUEL 2024 practiced a full array of advanced capabilities in the land, air, maritime, cyberspace and space domains, including NATO’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence, strategic communications, humanitarian and total defence missions and more, with the aim of enhancing NATO’s operational readiness in the defence of the NATO Alliance.
Key Objectives:
- Enhance Readiness: Improve NATO’s ability to respond to crises and threats.
- Test Capabilities: Evaluate the effectiveness of NATO’s military capabilities across multiple domains.
- Promote Interoperability: Foster cooperation and interoperability among Allied forces.
- Develop Future Concepts: Explore innovative approaches to warfare and defence.
Allied Command Transformation Experiments: Allied Command Transformation-led experimentation activities included the Layered Resilience Concept (which aims to enhance military resilience and its interdependencies with civil resilience), cyber risk management, countering weapons of mass destruction, and signals intelligence support.
Quote:
“By preparing exercise participants for multi-domain operations at the strategic and operational levels, the Joint Warfare Centre is instrumental to NATO’s ability to fight and win, while exercising key elements of NATO’s deterrence strategy.” – Major General Ruprecht von Butler, Commander JWC and Exercise Director.
JWC’s Critical Role:
The Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway, played a pivotal role in planning and executing STEADFAST DUEL 2024. The Joint Warfare Centre is dedicated to providing realistic and challenging training scenarios to NATO forces. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and advanced simulation tools, the Joint Warfare Centre ensures that NATO’s military forces are prepared to meet future challenges.
A Testament to NATO’s Commitment:
STEADFAST DUEL 2024 demonstrates NATO’s unwavering commitment to collective defence and its ability to adapt to evolving security challenges. By regularly conducting large-scale exercises, the Alliance ensures that its forces are ready to respond to threats and protect the security of its member states.
Looking Ahead:
As the security environment continues to evolve, NATO will continue to invest in training, exercises, and innovation to maintain its military advantage. The lessons learned from STEADFAST DUEL 2024 will be invaluable in shaping NATO’s future operations and ensuring the Alliance’s ability to deter aggression and protect its members.
