Nuclear deterrence: NATO discusses modernising its nuclear capabilities in Helsinki as the US launches Global Thunder 27

NATO’s High Level Group (HLG), the senior advisory body of the Nuclear Planning Group (NPG), met in Helsinki, Finland, on Wednesday, October 21. Allies discussed the NPG’s direction on modernising NATO’s nuclear capabilities and on further strengthening the Alliance’s nuclear planning.

Allies reaffirmed that the Alliance’s strategic nuclear forces remain the supreme guarantee of their security. They stressed that NATO’s nuclear deterrence is a shared responsibility, resting on members’ steadfast commitment to collective deterrence and defence. NATO says it maintains its nuclear posture to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression. Allies thanked Finland for hosting and stressed that since joining in 2023 it has substantially strengthened collective deterrence and defence.

Global Thunder 27

The same week, US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) began its annual exercise Global Thunder 27 on October 22, to test command and control of nuclear forces and strengthen the readiness of strategic forces. The command said bomber and other aircraft flights may increase during the exercise. It stressed that the exercise is not a response to any country, other actors or current events. Personnel from the command’s components and subordinate units take part. The exercise tests the coordination of staff and procedures at all levels of command, since reliable communications are critical for control.

Global Thunder combines staff exercises with unit activities to practise operational planning and mission execution. The aim is to maintain a secure, effective and credible strategic deterrent. The US nuclear triad consists of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles in silos, Ohio-class submarines with Trident II D5 missiles, and B-52H and B-2A bombers. The Minuteman III will be replaced by the new Sentinel missile.

In earlier editions of the exercise, US strategic bombers flew over Europe together with allied air forces. In Global Thunder 20, in October 2019, B-2A and B-52H bombers flew escorted by Polish F-16s. The same week, France and the United Kingdom carried out their first joint nuclear strike exercise, with British Typhoons escorting French Rafales.