Nato allies arrive in Scotland with RAF Lossiemouth set to host major multi-domain exercise

Nato allies have arrived at RAF Lossiemouth as Scotland plays host to a major, multi-domain exercise.

Exercise Formidable Shield is set to be conducted in the North Atlantic and High North, with RAF Typhoons and Poseidon aircraft joined by Rafale M jets of the French Navy and Italian Air Force Typhoons.

The aircraft will be supported by an Italian Air Force KC 767 A tanker which will fly from RAF Lossiemouth.

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During the exercise, aircraft from other Nato allies flying from other bases will also take part in the exercise off the Scottish coast – as well as live firing exercises at ranges in Northern Scotland.

In total, Exercise Formidable Shield will involve 13 Nato allies and partner nations, with more than 20 ships, 35 aircraft and a number of ground units – which includes radars, Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and almost 4,000 Nato personnel.

Wing Commander Tim McAuley, Officer Commanding Station Operations at RAF Lossiemouth, said he was "delighted" RAF Lossiemouth was at "the centre of this exercise".

"Exercise Formidable Shield is an excellent example of the UK taking a leading role in the development of integrated air and missile defence with our Nato allies," he said.

RAF Lossiemouth is also situated close to fast jet training areas, meaning it can provide multi-domain exercise area needed for Formidable Shield.

"In utilising the array of low-level flying areas in Scotland and Tain Range, our allies are able to incorporate challenging and realistic targets into the exercise environment,"  Wing Commander McAuley also said.

The exercise is held biannually and is designed to improve allied interoperability in a joint live-fire, Integrated Air and Missile Defence environment.

It also uses Nato command and control reporting structures, with allied nations practising their ability to share their situational awareness and carry out Nato-level mission planning. 

Running until 26 May, the exercise is the largest of its type that Nato will conduct this year.

Alongside the elements at RAF Lossiemouth, the Commander Task Group, Integrated Air and Missile Defence, has embarked aboard the Spanish Navy's Blas de Lezo to provide command and control for the exercise.