STAVANGER, Norway – One of NATO’s most complex exercises this year is underway in various locations across Europe: Exercise STEADFAST DETERRENCE 2025 (STDC25) is designed to strengthen NATO’s deterrence at the operational and strategic levels, focusing on multi-domain readiness in the Euro-Atlantic area.
Directed by the Joint Warfare Centre (JWC), STEADFAST DETERRENCE 2025 makes history as the first exercise that trains and certifies Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) as a NATO strategic warfighting headquarters.
The exercise sees convergence of SHAPE and the United States European Command (USEUCOM), reinforcing the transatlantic security bond.
The two strategic commands will strengthen cooperation in response to security matters in an unprecedented manner, reflecting a renewed commitment to NATO’s collective defence.
The development of SHAPE as a strategic warfighting headquarters marks an important step with a focus on enhancing NATO’s warfighting readiness, while adapting to the evolving security environment.
In addition, the exercise will seek to rehearse the key interactions between the national military representatives of all 32 NATO members during strategic defence plan activation.
During STEADFAST DETERRENCE 2025, we are exercising real elements of NATO’s defence plans under the Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area. I’m incredibly proud of the Joint Warfare Centre team, our augmentees, and trusted agents who are making this unique exercise possible.
Major General Ruprecht von Butler,
Commander JWC and the Exercise Director
Exercise STEADFAST DETERRENCE 2025 involves further participation from the NATO Command and Force Structure headquarters, including Allied Land Command, Allied Maritime Command, Allied Air Command, Special Operations Forces Command, Joint Support and Enabling Command, the Allied states, as well as the component commands under USEUCOM and international organizations.
Major Charles, a member of the JWC’s exercise planning team, said “I am proud to be a part of this unprecedented exercise that brings U.S. European Command together with SHAPE and NATO. The process of planning this exercise has greatly improved interoperability, planning and, most importantly, personal relationships between the two strategic staffs and their components. As a result, NATO is stronger, safer, and better prepared for any future crisis.”
The Joint Warfare Centre is NATO’s training focal point for joint operational- and strategic-level warfare, responsible for delivering NATO’s largest multi-domain exercises at these levels. It directly supports NATO’s defence architecture by delivering challenging, technologically integrated multi-domain exercises and training events. The JWC also contributes to NATO’s warfare development, driving adaptations in the areas of doctrine, concepts, experimentation, capability development and lessons learned.
