French paratroopers have joined British forces in a major military exercise in Germany, testing their ability to deploy together to defend Nato territory against an enemy equipped with drones and electronic warfare capabilities.
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Some 600 French and British paratroopers dropped from four RAF A400M Atlas transport aircraft during the operation, which the UK government described on Sunday as one of Britain’s largest airborne deployments in two decades.
The parachute drop formed part of Rhino Titan, a seven-week exercise involving around 2,500 troops at the Sennelager military training centre in Germany.
For the participating French forces, the operation offered an opportunity to practise a large-scale airborne deployment alongside their British allies, as European countries focus on military readiness amid Russia’s continuing war against Ukraine.
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Training for modern threats
The exercise tested British troops against a simulated enemy using drones and electronic warfare – capabilities that pose growing challenges for armed forces operating on a modern battlefield.
The joint parachute drop brought French and British personnel together in a demonstration of the airborne power available to reinforce NATO territory.
“The threats we face in the 21st century require an updated, modern approach to warfare – and our adaptable armed forces are preparing accordingly,” the UK government said in a statement.
“Alongside our French and German allies, this large-scale training exercise shows we can deliver rapid, large-scale airborne power anywhere it's needed to defend NATO territory.”
The exercise combined troops and specialised equipment to rehearse a response to a modern-day attack, with rapid deployment a central element of the training.
“This combination of troops and specialised equipment is what is required to deter our adversaries and keep Britain and our allies safe,” the statement added.
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European security concerns
The manoeuvres come as France and its European allies face concerns about both conventional military threats and activities intended to disrupt countries without open warfare.
Western nations have accused Russia in recent years of conducting a “hybrid” campaign involving espionage, sabotage and other disruptions, including damage to subsea cables.
Moscow has vehemently denied those accusations.
(with newswires)