France, Britain stage first joint nuclear air strike simulation
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A photo posted on X by UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting regarding the nuclear exercise between Britain and France, codenamed “Rummy”.
PHOTO: @WESSTREETING/X
- France and Britain held their first joint nuclear strike simulation, called “Rummy”, on 20 October with RAF Typhoons and French Rafales over the Mediterranean.
- The exercise used no real nuclear weapons and aimed to improve coordination between the two western European nuclear powers, according to the defence ministries.
- The drill comes as tensions with Russia stay high, and ministers called it a “new chapter” and a sign of stronger NATO and European security cooperation.
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PARIS - French and British air forces have for the first time staged a joint exercise simulating a nuclear strike, the countries’ defence ministries said in a statement on Oct 23.
The exercise, codenamed “Rummy” and which took place on Oct 20, involved RAF Typhoon fighter jets alongside French Rafale aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea, it said.
The exercise was conducted in compliance with security procedures, did not involve any actual nuclear weapons and was aimed at enhancing coordination between western Europe’s two nuclear powers, the statement added.
After taking off from a base in north-eastern France, “the French Rafales, escorted by RAF Typhoons, conducted a simulated nuclear strike”, it said.
The exercise comes with tensions remaining high between NATO powers and nuclear-armed Russia some four-and-a-half year’s into Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
A ‘new chapter’ in France, UK relations
French President Emmanuel Macron has offered to extend the protection of France’s nuclear deterrent to other European allies, as the European Union’s only nuclear power since Brexit.
French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin noted that “possessing independent nuclear forces does not preclude coordination”.
The joint exercise with Britain showed “our nuclear forces demonstrate that they can contribute even more significantly to the overall security” of NATO, she added.
Quoted in the French-language version of the joint statement, British Defence Minister Wes Streeting said the exercise marked a “new chapter” in the relationship between Britain and France on nuclear defence.
“This exercise demonstrates the depth of our partnership, the credibility of our deterrents and our determination to remain united in the face of emerging threats,” he said.
Writing on his X account, Streeting added: “It’s a landmark step in UK-France defence cooperation, and a clear signal that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies on European security and credible deterrence.” AFP