Formidable Shield 25 ends after month-long Nato missile defence drill in UK and Norway

Exercise Formidable Shield 2025 is drawing to a close, marking the end of Nato's largest live-fire integrated air and missile defence exercise in Europe.

Held every two years, this year's edition began on 1 May and took place across ranges in Andøya in Norway and the Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland.

The drills tested allied responses to ballistic missile threats and complex air defence scenarios in a multi-domain environment.

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Led by the US Navy's Sixth Fleet, the exercise was executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces Nato (STRIKFORNATO), using Nato's command and control systems to coordinate a range of live-fire missions.

Nine Nato nations took part, with aircraft, ships and personnel operating together to enhance interoperability.

Participating forces practised engaging multiple targets in quick succession and responding to complex scenarios involving real-time data-sharing and multinational decision-making.

These drills aim to enhance interoperability and readiness for real-world contingencies involving missile defence.

Air assets included Norwegian F-35s, RAF Typhoons and maritime patrol aircraft from the UK, Norway and the US.

Nato's Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) was forward deployed to Ørland Air Station in Norway, supported by two US Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotankers, which also provided refuelling and aircrew training support.

The live-fire tests conducted throughout the month demonstrated the ability of naval vessels and aircraft to respond in a coordinated way to a range of missile threats.

Throughout the exercise, participating forces shared tactical data and rehearsed joint responses to simulated missile threats, reinforcing integration across the air, land and sea domains.