13 countries join NATO drills off coast of Northern Germany, AP explains скачать в хорошем качестве

13 countries join NATO drills off coast of Northern Germany, AP explains

(18 Feb 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Putlos Military Training Ground, Putlos, Germany - 18 February 2026 1. Various of military training on a beach as part of a military amphibious landing exercise 2. Drone flying over beach 3. Various of helicopters flying as part of a military amphibious landing exercise 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Carlson, The Associated Press: "This is NATO’s Steadfast Dart 26 military exercise on the Baltic Sea coast of Northern Germany and the purpose of the exercise is for European militaries to show that they can react swiftly and together in defense of the alliance. Out at sea are the Turkish and Spanish navies, they are running an amphibious raid demonstration here on the coast at Putlos, Germany. " 5. Helicopter hovering 6. Soldiers with dog dropping from helicopter onto beach 7. Various of soldiers on training exercise 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Carlson, The Associated Press: "In total, there are 13 militaries participating in this operation with about 10,000 personnel. NATO’s largest member, the United States, is not here participating in this particular exercise. So this is a view of what it looks like when Europe prepares to defend itself. The new NATO is Europe spending more defense and being more self-sufficient." 9. Sea tanks in water 10. Various of sea tanks driving onto beach 11. Turkish and Spanish navy ships on sea STORYLINE: More than a dozen nations have mobilized thousands of troops, several warships and aircraft as NATO’s high readiness spearhead force is deployed across Europe for the first time. Many are gathered in northern Germany to showcase Steadfast Dart – NATO’s biggest drills of 2026. The exercises are taking place as Russia’s war on Ukraine nears its fourth anniversary. Nearly 10,000 military personnel have been mobilized from 13 nations. Participants include Italy, Greece, Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, Lithuania, Estonia and Turkey, with support from France, Belgium, Poland, the U.K. and the Netherlands. The United States is not taking part, but military officers say the fact that NATO’s biggest member is not providing troops and equipment is coincidental and not due to political tensions within NATO or America’s focus on security priorities elsewhere. Planning began 2 years ago, well before U.S. President Donald Trump took office. The exercises started last month, and have included live training, amphibious maneuvers, and rehearsals bringing together land, air, maritime, special operations, cyber and other enabling forces. They’re a test to NATO’s ability to rapidly deploy and integrate forces and equipment from different nations, and to reinforce NATO assets in central Europe. NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum Chief public affairs officer, Colonel Matthias Boehnke told the AP: “I think NATO is capable and ready. Are we perfec? No. Definitely not. We have to learn. We have to become better. That’s why NATO spends more money." The drills are taking place across central Europe, with key activities conducted in Germany. NATO's Commander of Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Brunssum in the Netherlands. German General Ingo Gerhartz is in charge of the exercise German General Ingo Gerhartz is in charge of the exercise, the NATO commander for Joint Force Command in Brunssum, in the Netherlands. NATO’s military leadership is organized in 3 regions which report directly to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.S. Airforce General Alexus Grynkewich. Turkish and Spanish navies sailed up from the Mediterranean to join the exercises. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...