NATO to start annual nuclear exercise Steadfast Noon on October 13

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -NATO’s annual nuclear deterrence exercise, Steadfast Noon, will begin on October 13, Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Friday.

Rutte said the exercise helps ensure NATO’s nuclear deterrent remains credible, safe, secure and effective, adding it sends a clear signal to any potential adversary that the alliance can protect and defend all its members against any threat.

The exercise does not use any live weapons, NATO officials said.

(Reporting by Andrew Gray, Writing by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten)