NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2025: Europe’s Largest Military Exercise Held Without U.S. Participation – Guy D. McCardle
In a significant display of military autonomy and strategic readiness, NATO has embarked on its largest exercise of the year, Steadfast Dart 2025. This six-week operation, spanning Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece, involves approximately 10,000 troops from nine member nations. Notably, the United States is absent from these maneuvers, marking a pivotal moment in Europe’s defense posture.
A New Era of European Defense
Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025 marks a significant shift in European defense strategy, potentially ushering in a new era of increased military self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on the United States. This large-scale NATO operation, conducted without direct U.S. assistance, showcases Europe’s growing capability to manage its own security concerns. By organizing and executing such a complex military exercise independently, European NATO members are demonstrating their commitment to strengthening their collective defense.
Several key factors contribute to this shift toward greater European military autonomy. One of the most crucial is increased defense spending. Many European NATO members are now meeting or exceeding the 2% GDP target for defense expenditure, a goal that had been elusive for many years. Some countries, like Poland, are going even further, committing nearly 5% of their GDP to defense. This financial commitment has allowed European militaries to enhance their capabilities, modernize their forces, and invest in new technologies.
Another major development is the establishment of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF), which is being tested in Steadfast Dart 2025. The ARF is designed to deploy rapidly—within 10 days—and is equipped to integrate conventional military forces with advanced cyber and space-based technologies. This marks a major evolution in NATO’s strategy, as the alliance moves towards a more agile and technologically advanced force capable of responding to emerging threats with greater speed and efficiency.
The exercise also highlights enhanced cooperation among European nations. With 10,000 troops from nine countries participating, Steadfast Dart 2025 demonstrates improved coordination and interoperability among European forces. The ability of these forces to work together seamlessly is crucial for responding to potential threats along NATO’s eastern flank and beyond. As these European countries become more accustomed to conducting joint operations without direct U.S. involvement, they build greater confidence in their ability to defend themselves independently.
Another driving force behind this shift is strategic autonomy—the idea that European nations must develop the capability to handle their own security challenges rather than relying on external powers like the United States. Concerns over U.S. foreign policy unpredictability and the possibility of a more isolationist approach in the future have prompted many European leaders to push for greater self-reliance in defense matters. While the U.S. remains a critical NATO ally, European nations are recognizing the need to prepare for scenarios where American military support may not be guaranteed.
In addition to military readiness, there has been a significant investment in Europe’s defense industry. Many European nations are working to reduce their reliance on non-European defense contractors, instead prioritizing procurement from European manufacturers. This shift not only enhances Europe’s ability to sustain its military forces independently but also strengthens the continent’s defense industrial base, creating jobs and boosting technological innovation.
This transformation in European defense strategy is influenced by several global factors. The ongoing war in Ukraine has been a wake-up call, reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong and ready military forces. The conflict has underscored the need for rapid deployment capabilities, stronger deterrence measures, and a more resilient supply chain for military equipment. Additionally, European-led defense initiatives like the European Defence Fund (EDF) and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) have been gaining momentum, promoting collaboration in defense research, capability development, and joint military projects.
In a significant display of military autonomy and strategic readiness, NATO has embarked on its largest exercise of the year, Steadfast Dart 2025. This six-week operation, spanning Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece, involves approximately 10,000 troops from nine member nations. Notably, the United States is absent from these maneuvers, marking a pivotal moment in Europe’s defense posture.
A New Era of European Defense
Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025 marks a significant shift in European defense strategy, potentially ushering in a new era of increased military self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on the United States. This large-scale NATO operation, conducted without direct U.S. assistance, showcases Europe’s growing capability to manage its own security concerns. By organizing and executing such a complex military exercise independently, European NATO members are demonstrating their commitment to strengthening their collective defense.
Several key factors contribute to this shift toward greater European military autonomy. One of the most crucial is increased defense spending. Many European NATO members are now meeting or exceeding the 2% GDP target for defense expenditure, a goal that had been elusive for many years. Some countries, like Poland, are going even further, committing nearly 5% of their GDP to defense. This financial commitment has allowed European militaries to enhance their capabilities, modernize their forces, and invest in new technologies.
Another major development is the establishment of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF), which is being tested in Steadfast Dart 2025. The ARF is designed to deploy rapidly—within 10 days—and is equipped to integrate conventional military forces with advanced cyber and space-based technologies. This marks a major evolution in NATO’s strategy, as the alliance moves towards a more agile and technologically advanced force capable of responding to emerging threats with greater speed and efficiency.
The exercise also highlights enhanced cooperation among European nations. With 10,000 troops from nine countries participating, Steadfast Dart 2025 demonstrates improved coordination and interoperability among European forces. The ability of these forces to work together seamlessly is crucial for responding to potential threats along NATO’s eastern flank and beyond. As these European countries become more accustomed to conducting joint operations without direct U.S. involvement, they build greater confidence in their ability to defend themselves independently.
Another driving force behind this shift is strategic autonomy—the idea that European nations must develop the capability to handle their own security challenges rather than relying on external powers like the United States. Concerns over U.S. foreign policy unpredictability and the possibility of a more isolationist approach in the future have prompted many European leaders to push for greater self-reliance in defense matters. While the U.S. remains a critical NATO ally, European nations are recognizing the need to prepare for scenarios where American military support may not be guaranteed.
In addition to military readiness, there has been a significant investment in Europe’s defense industry. Many European nations are working to reduce their reliance on non-European defense contractors, instead prioritizing procurement from European manufacturers. This shift not only enhances Europe’s ability to sustain its military forces independently but also strengthens the continent’s defense industrial base, creating jobs and boosting technological innovation.
This transformation in European defense strategy is influenced by several global factors. The ongoing war in Ukraine has been a wake-up call, reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong and ready military forces. The conflict has underscored the need for rapid deployment capabilities, stronger deterrence measures, and a more resilient supply chain for military equipment. Additionally, European-led defense initiatives like the European Defence Fund (EDF) and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) have been gaining momentum, promoting collaboration in defense research, capability development, and joint military projects.
Despite these advances, challenges remain. Some countries still face economic constraints that limit their ability to meet higher defense spending targets. There are also strategic constraints, as NATO must balance its growing independence with maintaining strong transatlantic ties. However, Steadfast Dart 2025 is a clear signal that European NATO members are taking concrete steps towards assuming greater responsibility for their own security.
This evolving approach has the potential to reshape the transatlantic security relationship. While the U.S. will likely remain a key player in NATO, the balance of military power within the alliance may shift, with Europe playing a larger role in collective defense efforts. If this trend continues, NATO could emerge as a more balanced and self-reliant military alliance, better equipped to handle the challenges of an increasingly complex global security environment.
As Steadfast Dart 2025 concludes, the key takeaway is clear: European NATO members are stepping up. Whether this marks the beginning of a long-term shift towards European military autonomy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Europe is no longer waiting for the U.S. to take the lead.
The Allied Reaction Force Takes Center Stage
At the heart of Steadfast Dart 2025 is the inaugural operational deployment of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF). Established in July 2024, the ARF is designed for rapid deployment, capable of mobilizing within ten days to address emerging threats. This force integrates conventional military assets with advanced cyber and space technologies, embodying NATO’s modernized approach to multifaceted warfare.
During the exercise, Greek and Spanish marines led an amphibious assault near Volos, Greece, showcasing the ARF’s expeditionary capabilities. Italian Lieutenant General Lorenzo D’Addario, commanding the ARF, emphasized the force’s readiness: “This is what we’ve been training for. The ARF is poised to operate across multiple domains, ensuring the alliance can deter and defend effectively.”
Diverse Participation and Unified Objectives
Steadfast Dart 2025 brings together forces from Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom leads the operation with a substantial contribution of 2,600 military personnel and 730 vehicles, assuming command of all land forces during the drills. The collective effort includes 17 naval vessels, over 20 aircraft, and more than 1,500 military vehicles, underscoring the alliance’s commitment to interoperability and collective defense.
Strategic Implications Amidst Global Uncertainties
The timing of Steadfast Dart 2025 is particularly noteworthy, coinciding with the three-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This backdrop amplifies the exercise’s significance as NATO seeks to reaffirm its defensive posture along its eastern flank. The decision to conduct the exercise without U.S. participation also reflects Europe’s response to shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities and a renewed emphasis on burden-sharing within the alliance.
NATO Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Peter Scott highlighted the exercise’s broader strategic context: “As we approach the anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, we see today a revitalized … . This exercise is a significant milestone in enhancing our readiness to defend every inch of allied territory.”
Logistical Feats and Challenges
Executing an operation of this magnitude without U.S. logistical support presents both challenges and opportunities. The deployment involves transporting over 1,500 vehicles by land, sea, and air, a testament to Europe’s logistical capabilities. The use of rail networks has been particularly instrumental, enabling the efficient movement of heavy equipment across vast distances.
Major General Ángel Ramón Herrezuelo Pérez of Spain noted, “The logistical aspect is a significant challenge. This exercise is the culmination of two years of meticulous planning, translating theory into real-world application.”
Looking Ahead: Strengthening European Defense
Steadfast Dart 2025 is much more than just another military exercise; it’s a statement of intent. Europe has listened to America’s wake-up call and acted accordingly. Their ability to organize and execute such a complex operation independently signals a maturation of their defense structures. While the U.S. remains a pivotal NATO ally, Europe’s proactive stance demonstrates a commitment to sharing the security burden and ensuring the alliance’s resilience against evolving threats.
As the exercise concludes on February 26, the lessons learned will undoubtedly inform future strategic decisions, reinforcing NATO’s collective defense and the importance of adaptability in an ever-changing global landscape.
