Military forces from 13 countries will take part in a major exercise based at Faslane later this month.
More than 10,000 military personnel, 35 warships, five submarines and 59 aircraft will feature in the latest Exercise Joint Warrior, which runs from March 30 until April 11,
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The UK military is a partner of choice for its major international allies and a resolute force for peace around the world.
“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.”
The exercise aims to allow the UK’s Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and their allies to conduct joint operations involving different forces and units and against a range of current and future threats.
It will be controlled and directed from the maritime operations centre at HM Naval Base Clyde, with what the MoD describes as ‘a range of air, surface, sub-surface, sea control and maritime security roles being rehearsed’ off the west coast of Scotland.
Armed forces taking part will be from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the UK and the US.
After an initial briefing weekend at Faslane, the exercise splits into two opposing task forces starting in the Scottish exercise areas (water and airspace generally to the West of Scotland, particularly The Minches).
Later there will be an amphibious exercise off the south west coast of Wales.
Aircraft will operate from RAF Lossiemouth, Prestwick and Stornoway airports as well as from RAF Leeming, RAF Coningsby, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Marham and RAF Brize Norton.
Land activity will focus on integrating with close air support at the Cape Wrath naval bombardment range and the RAF bombing range at Tain, supported by the RAF Spadeadam electronic warfare training range in Cumbria.
There will be amphibious landings by Royal Marines at the MoD’s Castlemartin range in Wales and possibly also in Dumfries and Galloway.
The MoD says there will be ‘limited exercises involving electronic warfare scenarios’ and GPS jamming will be for short periods of time in a confined area of north west Scotland
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