News

Europe's Biggest Military Exercise To Begin In Britain

RFA Tidespring arrives at HMNB Clyde (Picture: MoD).

The biggest military exercise in Europe, Exercise Joint Warrior, is set to get underway at Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde on 21 April.

More than 11,600 military personnel from 17 nations will take part in the exercise over two weeks.

Joint Warrior incorporates the tri-services as well as services from 16 other nations including Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United States.

Soldiers get off a Chinook during a previous exercise (Picture: MoD). — Soldiers get off a Chinook during a previous exercise. Picture: MoD.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

"Joint Warrior prepares our troops in the best way to meet the intensifying threats our country faces by providing a major opportunity to exercise with our allies.

"Our Armed Forces are the face of global Britain, and training side by side with troops from 16 other nations means we are stronger and more capable when it comes to keeping our countries safe and protecting our way of life."

2Para soldiers jump in during Exercise Joint Warrior last year (Picture: MoD). — 2 PARA jump during last year's Exercise Joint Warrior. Picture: MoD.

The programme, linked to the NATO exercise programme, is open to Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) partner nations.

Joint Warrior also hosts non-NATO partners such as Australia, Finland and Sweden.

This year the training scenarios involve multiple sovereign nations disputing resources and territories, counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling activity, information warfare and evacuation operations.

The exercise will provide NATO allies and partner nations the opportunity to train together across air, land, sea and cyber domains.

Tornados will be used in the Joint Warrior's final exercise. — Tornado aircraft will be used in Joint Warrior's final exercise.

Captain Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff, Captain Paul Pitcher said:

"This exercise gives the UK participants a chance to train with our allies and partners, honing our skills and developing our tactics.

"It is hugely important in making sure that we can fuse all elements of our capabilities, enhancing our ability to conduct joint operations now and in the future."

The exercise will finish on 3 May at Salisbury Plain Training Area, where JEF forces will conduct urban operations with troops from the UK Parachute regiment taking part and air support provided by Apaches, Chinooks, Wildcats and Tornados.