For two weeks NATO will be flexing its muscles in the harsh conditions of Norway. Some 50,000 participants will engage in a simulated invasion of Norway from an unnamed aggressor.
From October 25 to November 7, participants from all 29 NATO members, as well as Finland and Sweden, will engage in war games in Norway, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea.
What is the scale?
The exercise involves around 50,000 participants, including 20,000 land forces, 24,000 navy personnel, 3,500 air personnel, 1,000 logistics specialist, and 1,300 personnel from various NATO commands.
It includes 250 aircraft, 65 ships, up to 10,000 vehicles. The so-called Super Puma helicopters and the F/A-18 Hornet jets will be deployed in the exercises.
Germany's Bundeswehr provides 10,000 troops, and 4,000 vehicles as well as jets and frigates, making it the second-largest contingent in the exercise, behind the United States.
NATO Trident Juncture war games kick off in Norway
NATO's largest military exercise since the end of the Cold War is taking place in Norway. With complex maneuvers planned over large swathes of territory, DW breaks down the numbers.
Image: picture alliance/dpa
Massive NATO war games begin
NATO's "Trident Juncture," the largest military exercise since the end of the Cold War, launched in Norway on October 25 and is due to run until November 7. Some 50,000 troops are taking part in the exercises, including 24,000 navy personnel and 20,000 land forces.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Assanimoghaddam
Germany takes leading role
Germany is the second largest contributor to the NATO exercise, coming in behind the United States. Some 10,000 German troops are taking part, with German forces leading one of the land exercises. A total of 31 countries are participating in the exercises, including non-NATO members Finland and Sweden.
Image: picture alliance/dpa
Thousands of military vehicles
NATO's "Trident Juncture" exercise will also see thousands of military vehicles put to use, including some 250 aircraft, 65 ships and over 10,000 vehicles. The United States' nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman will also be taking part.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Assanimoghaddam
Angering Russia
The scripted maneuvers during "Trident Juncture" are based on a hypothetical scenario where troops have to restore Norway's sovereignty following an attack by a "fictitious aggressor." Norway has grown increasingly nervous about neighboring Russia since it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. NATO's latest exercise has angered Moscow, which slammed it as an "anti-Russian" and "provocative."
Image: Forsvaret/Torbjørn Kjosvold
Maps, meals and laundry
To help ensure that "sensitive areas" like hospitals, schools and drinking water sites aren't affected during the exercise, Norway printed 1.6 million maps for NATO troops to use. The Norwegian Armed Forces estimate 650 tons of laundry will be done during the exercise and some 1.8 million meals.
Image: Forsvaret/Anette Ask
Complex operations on air, land and sea
The exercise area encompasses large areas of land, sea and air space — with naval operations stretching along the Norwegian coast and down to Scotland. The focus of the exercise will be on the land exercise in central Norway. Participating troops will be divided into northern and southern forces that will maneuver against one another.
Image: Forsvaret/Elias Engevik
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What is the objective?
The operation aims to test NATO's abilities to defend itself, deter potential adversaries, and work cohesively.
The whole operation underscores NATO's commitment to Article 5 on "collective defense," which dictates that an attack on one member is an attack on all members.
How does it work?
The forces will be split into two opposing groups: the North force and the South force. The northern force will attack the southern force, supported by an amphibious operation. Then, in a scripted response, the southern force will carry out a counter-attack.
The land and amphibious forces will be supported by air and maritime forces, also split into two groups.
The field exercises are followed by a test of the command center capabilities using computer simulations.
