NATO is conducting a nuclear deterrent air exercise, Steadfast Noon, at Kleine Bruegel Air Base in Belgium.

These exercises are held annually, but this year they coincide with important updates to nuclear bases across Europe, amid fears that Russia will use nuclear weapons in its war on Ukraine.

According to NATO, the exercise will involve 14 countries and up to 60 aircraft, including fourth-generation F-16s, as well as fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets.

A number of tankers and surveillance aircraft are also participating in the exercises.

"I wouldn't expect what President Putin would do," said the commander of the US aircraft carrier "Bush", Admiral Dennis Velez. Our defense minister, we mean it and we will defend NATO countries."

Those messages are sent east with each exercise that tests the readiness of NATO's nuclear deterrence capabilities.

These annual air exercises are held in northwestern Europe and over the North Sea.

B-25 bombers

It is expected that US B-25 bombers will participate in the maneuvers.

The Atlantic exercises, which do not involve the use of any live bombs, are taking place amid important modernizations at nuclear bases across Europe.

What is also remarkable is that it may coincide with annual nuclear exercises that Russia usually holds at the end of October of each year.

The Russians put their nuclear deterrent system on high alert at the beginning of their war on Ukraine, and then NATO quickly took a similar step about 7 months ago.

Since then, fears of a worst-case scenario have been mounting, with politicians and military leaders even comparing the nuclear arsenals of Russia and NATO countries.

And some of them ask who is the strongest in the war of nuclear deterrence, and even the most able to withstand if a nuclear war breaks out.

So far, there are no indications that President Vladimir Putin will use a tactical nuclear weapon with a limited explosiveness in Ukraine.

But NATO maintains that it remains vigilant about Russia's nuclear capabilities.

For his part, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that Washington is committed to defending every inch of NATO territory.

During his meeting with his Estonian counterpart Hanno Pevkor, Austin expressed his country's thanks to Estonia for providing military equipment and assistance in training in Ukraine, the commitment of allies and partners to support Ukraine's right to defend itself, and the impact of this on the progress made by the Ukrainians in their counter-attack.

For his part, the Estonian Defense Minister expressed his gratitude for the long-term US security assistance that helped accelerate the development of Estonia's military capabilities.

He also praised the strengthening of the periodic deployment of US forces in the Baltic states.