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Britain's Amphibious Power On Show During Anglo-French Exercise

HMS Dragon on EX Catamaran 050618 CREDIT Royal Navy

Cover: HMS Dragon and its crew deployed to the North of France on 27 May 2018. (Picture: Royal Navy)

Some of Britain's best amphibious power, as well as more than 2,000 military personnel from both sides of the Channel, are taking part in Exercise Catamaran 18.

Destroyer HMS Dragon, minehunter HMS Chiddingfold and amphibious ship RFA Lyme Bay are part of the 14 warships and support vessels involved.

Played out along a 130-mile stretch of the French coast, the exercise is the latest to test how the combined amphibious forces of Britain and France work together.

The aim is to create a new Combined Joint Expeditionary Force which would reach full operational capability by 2020.

The two-week French-led exercise allows personnel to share tactics and capabilities.

Royal Marines (X Company from 45 Commando and the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron from 30 Commando) are working together with French Marines (9 Maritime Infantry Brigade), operating from Lyme Bay and the French amphibious assault helicopter carrier FS Tonnerre.

A British soldier briefing French troops inside the vehicle deck of RFA Lyme Bay. (Picture: Royal Navy)

Royal Marines carrying out drills on RFA Lyme Bay during Ex Catamaran 030618 CREDIT RN — 1st Marine Infantry Regiment and Royal Marines carrying out Capsize drills in the dock of RFA Lyme Bay. (Picture: Royal Navy)

Royal Marines embarking a Chinook from RFA Lyme Bay during Ex Catamaran — Royal Marines embarking a Chinook from RFA Lyme Bay. (Picture: Royal Navy)

A Chinook and a Royal Marine Hovercraft embark RFA Lyme Bay during Ex Catamaran CREDIT RN — A Chinook and a Royal Marine Hovercraft embark RFA Lyme Bay. (Picture: Royal Navy)

HMS Dragon on Ex Catamaran CREDIT Royal Navy — HMS Dragon refueling during Ex Catamaran 18. (Picture: Royal Navy)

Marine Scuneman from X Company said:

“It has been a good experience working with the French Marines, they are a professional force.

"The only problem we have encountered has been the language barrier, but we are working around that."

During the exercise, the Royal Marines' hovercrafts and inflatable raiding crafts are being used for small-scale landings and reconnaissance missions, while the Chinooks and French CTM landing craft are being used to move larger numbers of marines and their equipment ashore.