Around 100 Bundeswehr vehicles take part in NATO exercise

Around 100 Bundeswehr vehicles will be on the road in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg on Friday and Saturday. A military unit of the Franco-German Brigade will travel from the Oberlausitz military training area in Saxony to Möckern in the Jerichower Land in Saxony-Anhalt on Friday (February 2) and from there to the Colbitz-Letzlinger Heide north of Magdeburg the next day, according to the Territorial Command of the Bundeswehr. The convoy, which includes four-axle armored transport vehicles, is part of an international NATO exercise. According to the Bundeswehr, around 90,000 troops from all NATO member states and Sweden are taking part in the four-month exercise.

In total, the soldiers will cover around 350 kilometers over the next two days - mainly on freeways and main roads. The convoy will be divided into several groups, which will travel at staggered intervals. As much distance as possible should be kept between the vehicles. In addition, for safety reasons, other vehicles should not drive between the slow columns, which are up to three meters long, according to the Bundeswehr's request.

In addition to German soldiers, forces from abroad will also be driving through Germany again and again in the coming weeks. According to the Bundeswehr, the aim of the NATO exercise called "Steadfast Defender" is to deploy and transport units and formations as well as to standardize procedures and tactics.

The exercise is the Bundeswehr's largest since the Cold War. It is reportedly involving around 12,000 troops. The German forces are practising under the name "Quadriga 2024". The aim is to make a contribution "to deterrence on NATO's eastern flank", according to the statement.

According to the Bundeswehr spokesperson, the NATO exercise is divided into four parts. Units and units from the army divisions, the navy and the air force are to take part. The partial exercises will take place in Norway, Poland and Romania, among other places.

During the exercise, the units and formations will first be alerted, said the spokesperson. They then prepare their material and equipment. This also includes the transportation of vehicles and large equipment by road or rail across Germany.