Nato airborne soldiers take part in largest parachute drop since Second World War

Nato airborne troops have taken part in the largest Allied airborne operation since the Second World War, as part of Exercise Swift Response 2024.

At an airbase near Câmpia Turzii, Romania, German armed forces paratroopers from the Rapid Forces Division led troops from France, Romania, Spain and the United States in an airborne operation that involved between 1,200 and 1,500 soldiers. 

Fourteen transport aircraft – including the Airbus A400M Atlas – carried them to the drop zone, making this one of Nato's largest and most complex manoeuvres this year.

• British and American paras make combined drop into Estonia on Ex Swift Response
• Paras blast through enemy trench system during 48-hour live-fire exercise in Estonia
• Inside the British Army nerve centre keeping Steadfast Defender running across Europe

Earlier this month during the same Nato exercise, British soldiers from 3 Para conducted parachute jumps, trench warfare and live fire exercises.

Hundreds of British troops are taking part in the wider exercise, Exercise Steadfast Defender, which is being carried out right across Europe.