Defence Sec: 'NATO Strong Enough To Counter Any Russian Aggression'

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has praised Romanian and British pilots for protecting the Black Sea region from "the threat of Russian aggression".

Sir Michael spoke at the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base in eastern Romania, where he met pilots and technicians servicing RAF Typhoon fighter jets that are beefing up NATO security around the Black Sea.

He praised the pilots' "dazzling skills", thanking those

"working tirelessly to protect the Black Sea skies against the persistent threat of Russian aggression".

Sir Michael earlier visited the shooting range at Cincu, in central Romania, where 1,000 British troops are taking part in Exercise Noble Jump.

Some 5,000 soldiers, 1,000 assistance personnel and 500 vehicles from 10 NATO nations are part of the drill, which aims to test the readiness of alliance troops​​​​​​:

Britain's presence has been crucial as 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade is leading NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), the Alliance's "spearhead force".

Following last year's Exercise Brilliant Jump - which tested mainly air movement - Noble Jump focuses primarily on land action, with minimal participation of other NATO forces.

Troops have been taking part in live-fire training as part of the exercise:

Other participating formations from the UK include the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

The VJTF was established in 2014 in order to adapt and respond to emerging security challenges posed by Russia, as well as the risks emanating from the Middle East and North Africa.

It is part of NATO's Response Force, a multinational force made up of land, air, maritime and Special Operations Forces components that can be deployed quickly.