'Trident Juncture': NATO members continue drills, though Russia tests missiles

World
Europe

03:06

As NATO carries out its largest military exercise in decades, Russia has been increasing its activities in the area. Moscow said it plans to carry out missile tests nearby – its bombers have performed several scheduled flights near Norwegian airspace. CGTN's Guy Henderson spent the day at one of the main NATO airbases for the drills.

There is something unspoken among these U.S. Marines. Their scheduled flight takes journalists north with Norway's Beitstad fjord on one side. On the other – some way off: international waters, marked out for planned Russian missile tests. That's not what they've come to show.

'We're gonna go up and down, do a little weather wreckie, see what altitude's gonna be workable for the jets and we'll relay that back to them. Then hopefully we'll get some jets out here."

The plan is to open the rear doors thousands of feet in the air: for an up-close display of NATO-member warplanes. They take off as planned from Orland airbase. Everyone's been briefed about Russian plans; they all say they'll continue undeterred.

SAKU JOUKAS FINNISH AIR FORCE "They have the right to do their training. It's ok as long as they act professionally. I'm totally happy with that."

Personnel at this radar station say they're focused solely on drills: not any real potential threat.

"At the moment, we are looking inside Norwegian airspace, above Norwegian territory."

The previous day, Norwegian F-16s were scrambled as two Russian bombers passed near but never in their airspace. So clearly someone was watching. It's widely assumed NATO – too – is being watched: which is perhaps part of the point.

JOHANNES GLOWKA GERMAN AIR FORCE "We show our capabilities, we send a very clear message. To our own population, but also to any possible adversary."

In Moscow, those close to Russian President Vladimir Putin say NATO activities are designed to antagonize.

SERGEY KARAGANOV ADVISER TO RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN "NATO needs tension for subsistence. When there is none, they create it. That is their bread and butter. They have been doing this for 25 years."

The sense inside the alliance's largest military exercise in decades is that officials are treading carefully. Though the only plan we know has been changed was calling off the jet-show. And that, was down to bad weather. GH, CGTN, Orland.