Supreme Allied Commander Europe Christopher Cavoli addresses a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, on Jan 18, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

BRUSSELS - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is set to hold its largest exercise in decades, with approximately 90,000 forces slated to participate, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe Christopher Cavoli said on Thursday.

The last exercises of a similar size were Reforger - during the Cold War in 1988 with 125,000 participants - and Trident Juncture in 2018 with 50,000 participants, according to NATO

The exercise, dubbed "Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024", is scheduled to commence next week and will extend through May.

All NATO's 31 members and Sweden will participate in the maneuvers, Cavoli told a press briefing in Brussels following a two-day NATO military chiefs of defense meeting.

More than 50 ships from aircraft carriers to destroyers will take part, as well as more than 80 fighter jets, helicopters and drones and at least 1,100 combat vehicles including 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles, NATO said.

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The last exercises of a similar size were Reforger - during the Cold War in 1988 with 125,000 participants - and Trident Juncture in 2018 with 50,000 participants, according to NATO.

The troops taking part in the exercises, which will involve simulations of getting personnel to Europe as well as exercises on the ground, will come from NATO countries and Sweden, which hopes to join the alliance soon.

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Regarding the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Rob Bauer, chair of the NATO Military Committee, said that "There is back and forth in the front" and "Both sides are now in a phase where it is not moving a lot forward one way or the other."  

With Reuters inputs