NATO troops gather for major exercise – as unmanned technology is tested in Scotland

Armed forces from 14 countries will join in a major exercise coordinated from Faslane tomorrow.

The latest Exercise Joint Warrior will see around 5,700 military personnel taking part in UK-led training which will run to October 20.

Thirty-one warships and submarines, as well as some 67 aircraft will be involved, with much of the activity taking place off the Scottish coast, at RAF Lossiemouth, at Prestwick and on military ranges across the country.

At the same time, the world’s first large scale, multi environment demonstration of unmanned technology will also take place in the Western Isles.

‘Unmanned Warrior’ aims to allow industry to show the latest systems at military ranges in Benbecula, Stornoway, Applecross and Kyle of Lochalsh.

Exercise Joint Warrior will include forces from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the US, and the UK.

The event happens twice a year and gives the UK, NATO allies and partners with the chance to practice the skills needed for current and future operations.

Joint Task Force training, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, mine counter measures, intelligence gathering, GPS jamming and electronic warfare training will all take place.

International ships are pictured gathering at HM Naval Base Clyde ahead of an Exercise Joint Warrior last year.