Ex Formidable Shield: Nato's largest live-fire naval exercise in Europe gets underway

Formidable Shield, the largest live-fire naval exercise in Europe, is underway, with the exercise taking place in Norway and the United Kingdom.  

The multinational integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) exercise runs until 31 May.

Nine allies are participating in the naval-led operation, while Norway, the UK and the United States will also participate in an aviation role. 

• HMS Tyne shadows a Russian submarine in English Channel while on Nato mission
• HMS Somerset home after busy time tracking Russian warships and doing Nato drills
• Two new F-35B Lightning jets delivered to UK after transatlantic flight

Ex Formidable Shield is focusing on maritime operational and tactical interoperability between allies, and scenarios include a series of complex ballistic missile defence (BMD) and air defence (AD) missions.

RAF Typhoons, the UK's primary multi-role combat aircraft, will make up the exercise's air assets, along with Norwegian F-35 Lightnings.

The fourth-generation Typhoon is highly capable and used for a variety of missions, including air policing, peace support and high-intensity conflict, with a primary role in quick reaction alerts (QRA) for UK airspace. 

The first phase of the exercise will take place at the Andøya firing range in Norway before continuing at the Hebrides Range in Scotland.

Participants will share tactical data, engage in Nato-level planning and practise coordinated responses to complex scenarios.

The exercise aims to further enhance integration and interoperability between allies.