On Tuesday, October 6, NATO’s large-scale command-and-staff exercise Steadfast Duel 26 began. The exercise focuses on testing the functioning of NATO command structures and chains of command, as well as practising the implementation of defence plans.
In Estonia, the main focus of the exercise is on practising procedures at the Estonian Defence Forces Headquarters command post and testing information-sharing and coordination between headquarters at different levels within NATO.
“Steadfast Duel is the most important exercise for NATO’s command structure, during which Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and all Joint Force Command (JFCs) rehearse their war plans. Estonia is participating in the exercise as a national command element, as the framework and scenario of the exercise provide us with an opportunity to rehearse our own war plan and do so in cooperation with NATO and neighbouring countries,“ said Major General Vahur Karus, Chief of Staff of the Joint Headquarters and the Estonian exercise director. „For us, the greatest benefit comes from rehearsing our war plan together with partner institutions, because only in this way can we understand what each side expects from the others when preparing for and conducting war. The more Estonian government institutions we are able to involve in the exercise, the stronger and more credible our comprehensive national defence will become.”
The Steadfast Duel 26 exercise takes place from 6 to 15 October and is led by NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre, based in Norway. Steadfast Duel is a computer assisted command post exercise in collaboration with U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) alongside military and civilian personnel from all 32 NATO allies. From Estonia, the exercise involves various Estonian Defence Forces units, Allied forces, the NATO Force Integration Unit in Estonia, the Estonian Defence League, as well as various government authorities and law enforcement and security agencies.
