NATO allies and partner countries began a three-week military exercise at the Trapani Air Force Base in Italy on Monday.

The training program, called the Alliance's Trident Juncture, involves around 36,000 troops from more than 30 countries. NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow notes the training program is the largest of its kind as member states escalate their military readiness.

"Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise for over a decade," Vershbow said in a statement. "Trident Juncture will increase our readiness and our ability to work together, including with our partners. It will demonstrate that NATO is capable of responding to threats from any direction."

The program will continue until November 6. Despite the size of the exercise, Ambassador Vershbow notes this is not meant to stir up hostility with any country. Representatives from Russia, Colombia, and other non-NATO nations were invited to join as observers.

The exercise comes less than a week after the conclusion of the Tactical Leadership program, an earlier NATO training event for fighter pilots from NATO countries. This event allowed pilots from the United States, Spain, Greece, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic to act as mission commanders leading airstrike operations.

U.K. armored battle group takes part in NATO Exercise Dragon
Washington (UPI) Oct 19, 2015 - Troops from the U.K.'s Lead Armoured Battle Group are participating in a Polish-hosted NATO military training exercise.

Exercise Dragon is a multi-national training program, made up of armed forces from Poland, Germany, Canada, and the United States. The U.K. contributed 800 troops and over 130 vehicles. The five-week program began in September concludes at the end of October. U.K. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon says the program is helpful for British forces in that it will better prepare them to work with NATO allies to respond to threats in the future.

"In a darker and more dangerous world, it is vital that we work with our NATO allies so we can respond to any threat," Fallon said in a statement. "That's why the UK is playing a key role in Exercise Dragon, contributing nearly 1,000 troops, and over 130 vehicles and tanks."

The five participating countries committed a total of 10,000 troops to the exercise, taking place at the Orzysz Training area. The program is designed to bolster cooperative combat capabilities, while also giving eastern NATO allies security assurance.

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Garner, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, also explained that British troops would not be able to perform the same type of exercises in their own country.

"The Polish terrain adds a different dimension to our training which we can't achieve in the UK. Working so closely with our NATO allies has been great training for the guys," he said. "Obviously we have different ways of doing things, but bringing all this together in line with NATO doctrine has been challenging, but highly rewarding."

The U.K.'s Ministry of Defence says their country's participation in Exercise Dragon underlines their commitment to NATO and collective defense.