NATO’s annual nuclear deterrence exercise began on Tuesday, hosted by Italy, and the alliance announced that 17 member countries are taking part in the exercise, but no real weapons will be used.

According to NATO, the exercise was planned well in advance, will be held on a scale similar to past years, has nothing to do with current events around the world, and is directed at no country.

Mark Rutte, NATO’s Secretary General, said “NATO is a defensive alliance,” and added that the exercise helps maintain the capability to be “safe, secure, effective and credible,” and “sends a clear message of solidarity and resolve.”

In last year’s exercise, more than 70 aircraft from 14 member countries and about 2,000 personnel took part, and the flights were conducted from bases in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Denmark. Thirteen types of aircraft, including F-35 fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons, were used in the exercise.