AMPHIBIOUS landings by the Royal Marines at the MOD’s Castlemartin range over the next few weeks will be part of a major NATO military exercise involving a total of 35 warships, five submarines and 59 aircraft and helicopters
More than 10,000 service men and women from 13 countries have arrived in the UK ahead of Joint Warrior – 6,500 sea personnel, 3,000 land personnel and 800 air personnel.
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the UK, and the US are all involved.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) say the exercise enables the UK and its allies to train together against a range of current and future threats.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The UK will not waver in continuing to work with its allies to protect our mutual interests.
“Led by the UK, Joint Warrior allows key NATO allies to tackle complex warfare scenarios to ensure that the international community stands fit and ready to work to face any threat together.”
A range of air, surface, sub-surface, sea control and maritime security roles are all being rehearsed off the west coast of Scotland.
Aircraft will operate from a number of RAF bases including RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Marham and RAF Brize Norton.
Air units will exercise Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), air defence, air mobility and attack, according to the MOD.
The exercise runs from 30 March to 11 April.
Pictures below from last year’s exercise.
