Brussels, August 19 (RHC)-- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has launched massive military drills across Europe, in what is seen as a move to deter alleged threats from Russia in the region. According to reports on Tuesday, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania are currently hosting over 5,000 soldiers from 11 NATO member states participating in the massive airborne drills called "Swift Response 15."

The maneuver "is the largest Allied airborne training event on the continent since the end of the Cold War," read a statement issued by the U.S. military base in the southern German town of Grafenwohr.

The drills, which will continue for four weeks, are aimed at boosting the military capabilities of the organization's "high-readiness forces" as well as showing "the alliance's capacity to rapidly deploy and operate in support of maintaining a strong and secure Europe," the statement added.

NATO is also scheduled to hold another large maneuver in September across the continent. Reports say that 36,000 soldiers from over 30 NATO and partner member states will attend the Exercise Trident Juncture in southern and central Europe next month.