NATO’s Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025 (STDT25) coincides with the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making it a significant event for European security.
The exercise started on January 8, 2025, along the alliance’s eastern flank and will continue until February 21, 2025.
Objectives and Importance of the Exercise 'Steadfast Dart 25'
‘Steadfast Dart 25’ is the first major large-scale deployment exercise of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF). This exercise demonstrates the alliance’s capability to quickly mobilize and deploy forces along its eastern flank. Such readiness is vital for deterring potential aggressors, especially in light of growing concerns about Russia’s military activities.
NATO has been conducting exercises since 1951. These exercises take place throughout the year and serve as essential tools for the Alliance to test and validate its concepts, procedures, systems, and tactics. More broadly, they enable militaries and civilian organizations deployed in operational theaters to assess their capabilities and practice working together efficiently in demanding crisis situations, fostering interoperability among the militaries of member states.
Last year, NATO conducted its largest military exercise since the Cold War, named ‘Steadfast Defender 2024’. This exercise involved over 90,000 troops, 80 aircraft, 50 ships, and 1,100 combat vehicles from all 32 NATO member states. It showcased NATO’s ability to defend its territory and rapidly deploy forces across the Atlantic.
Overview and Importance of the Allied Reaction Force in NATO
The Allies Reaction Force (ARF) was established on July 1, 2024, to replace the NATO Response Force (NRF). It plays a crucial role in deterring threats and defending the Euro-Atlantic area, ensuring NATO’s preparedness to respond swiftly and effectively to any evolving security challenges.
Under the new NATO Force Model (NFM), which aims to strengthen the Alliance’s ability to deter and, if necessary, defend against potential adversaries, the ARF has been specifically designed to complement the Regional Plans agreed upon by all Allies at the Vilnius summit in 2023.
This force provides the Alliance with a strategic, high-readiness, multi-domain, and multinational capability that can be deployed immediately upon the orders of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). Its purpose is to enhance deterrence during peacetime and crises while supporting the Alliance’s defense in times of conflict.
‘Steadfast Dart 25’ is the inaugural NATO exercise following the establishment of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF).
Structure of the Exercise 'Steadfast Dart 25'
The exercise is being carried out in two phases, mainly in Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece:
Phase 1: The first phase will take place from January 8, 2025, to February 7, 2025. This phase focuses on the deployment of the Allied Reaction Force in the host countries: Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania.
Phase 2: The second phase will run from February 7 to February 21, 2025. This phase emphasizes the use of NATO and Allied reinforcements across various domains along NATO’s eastern flank.
Participating Countries
All nine NATO allies of the Allied Reaction Force are actively participating in this exercise. These allies include the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain. Approximately 10,000 personnel from these nine NATO allies are participating in this largest NATO exercise of the year.
Command Structure
The United Kingdom plays a leading role in the exercise, contributing over 2,600 personnel and 730 vehicles to NATO’s eastern flank. The UK’s 1st Division will command all of NATO’s land forces during the exercise.
Key Activities of Exercise 'Steadfast Dart 25'
Live capability demonstrations will showcase amphibious operations, live-fire air support, and combined maneuvers across all domains. The exercise is focused on demonstrating the Allied Reaction Force’s (ARF) ability to conduct and maintain complex operations over long distances and under a variety of conditions.
Summary
The ‘Steadfast Dart 25’ exercise will showcase NATO’s ability to quickly deploy forces from Europe, thereby strengthening the defense of its eastern flank. This exercise aims to enhance coordination and cooperation among NATO Allies, especially in the early phases of deployment.
NATO’s capacity for rapid deployment relies on the seamless collaboration of its member nations. Maintaining high-readiness forces that can operate across land, air, and sea is crucial for responding to emerging threats, and it forms a key part of NATO’s defensive strategy.
The new Allied Reaction Force will not only support the Alliance’s defense during crises but also bolster deterrence against adversaries, including Russia. This initiative ensures that NATO forces can come together more quickly than ever before.
