Stronger Together
The UK Armed Forces have taken part in a series of joint exercises with NATO allies and international partners across Northern Europe.
The spring season has been a busy one for the UK Armed Forces, who have been taking part in a series of multinational land, air, and sea exercises across Northern Europe.
Joint exercises ensure that the UK and its allies can integrate and operate in combat situations; strengthening our joint responsiveness. Whilst demonstrating the UK Armed Forces capability as an expeditionary force and the UK’s commitment to NATO and our international partners.
Ex. Orion
NATO Exercise
When: February 2023- May 2023
Where: France
Scale of exercise: 19,000 NATO troops from across 8 NATO nations- France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, US and UK.
UK Military Might: Company of 3 Rifles, Royal Gurkha Rifles Company, 16 Air Assault Brigade. RAF 47 Squadron Hercules and Atlas C1.
Summary: French-led Nato Exercise; the largest in France in decades. The focus was on defensive operations land, air, sea and cyberspace. Drills were conducted over several months, starting in late February and ending in May 2023. The peak of the exercise took place in late April and early May in north-eastern France. During this phase, around 12,000 international troops including UK personnel were deployed on the ground and in the skies to repel a simulated high-intensity attack.
Ex. Tamber Shield
Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise
When: April
Where: Norway
UK Military Might: Air and ground crew from 815 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Archer and Pursuer, Royal Navy Wildcat Helicopters.
Summary: Tamber Shield was staged under the auspices of the Joint Expeditionary Force [JEF]- ten northern European nations committed to regional security. Hosted in the inlets and narrow waters around Bergen, Norway the exercise helped the Royal Navy and other JEF navies develop tactics for fighting in confined waters and involved simulated strikes against fast-attack crafts.
Ex. Aurora
Joint Expeditionary Force
When: April- May
Where: Sweden
Scale of exercise: 26,000 military personnel from 14 nations including Finland, Denmark, Norway, US and UK.
UK Military Might: Armoured Infantry Company from 1 Mercian, Royal Marine Commandos, HMS Albion, 17 Warriors, 25 B Fleet Vehicles, 4 Typhoons, and Inflatable Raiding Crafts.
Summary: Exercise Aurora was the largest land, air and sea joint exercise to take place in Sweden in more than 30 years. The exercise was intended to test Sweden’s military capabilities and strengthen partner countries ability to interrogate and operate as part of multinational brigades.
“This is a massive exercise for Sweden, and the ease of interoperating with the Swedish and the Finnish in particular is impressive.
You can immediately see how easily the Fins slot into NATO and you can imagine the Swedes doing the same as soon as they get the green light… The NATO alliance is the cornerstone of where we start as the British military… In the British Army we train as we fight, and we train with allies because we expect to fight with them… We will never go it alone, and we are in a strong alliance that is getting stronger by the day.”- Major Tom Onion, Company Commander of B Company 1 Mercian
Ex. Arrow
Joint Expeditionary Force
When: May
Where: Finland
Scale of the exercise: 2,200 military personnel from 6 partner nations- Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, US and UK.
UK Military Might: Armoured Infantry Company 5 Rifles, 17 Warriors, 3 armoured vehicles and 10 B-fleet vehicles.
Summary: A Finnish-led mechanized Army exercise that took place in Niinisalo, of the 2,200 international service personnel 1,000 were Finnish conscripts. The objective of Exercise Arrow 23 was to enhance the operating capabilities of mechanized units in demanding combat situations.
“Working with Finnish Conscripts on exercise has been fascinating. Their culture towards national defence and service is humbling and it generates a pragmatic approach to team building and problem solving.
A Company 5 Rifles have developed both rudimentary and technical methods of colloborating with the Finns and their equipment. We are also now more familiar with Soviet-era armoured vehicles, which are rare to train alongside or against.” — Major Peter Daniell, Company Commander of A Company 5 Rifles.
Ex. Lightning Strike
Joint Expeditionary Force
When: May
Where: Finland
Scale of the exercise: 8,000 Service personnel from five partner nations- Finland, Norway, Sweden, US and UK.
UK Military Might: Artillery company from 26 Regiment Royal Artillery with Multiple Launch Rocket System [MLRS]
Summary: Exercise Lightning Strike aimed to develop joint firing and combat operating with JEF alliance countries and Sweden. Improving interoperability as well as the ability to provide and receive international assistance. During Ex Lightning Strike a live firing serial was conducted with British MLRS being fired alongside artillery from host nation Finland and the US as part of a realistic challenging environment combat scenario.
Ex. Northern Forest
Joint Expeditionary Force
When: May - June
Where: Finland
Scale of exercise: 8,000 service personnel, from five partner nations- Finland, Norway, Sweden, US and UK.
UK Military Might: Armoured Infantry Company from 5 Rifles, 17 Warrior infantry fighting vehicles.
Summary: Exercise Northern Forest, combined with Exercise Arrow and Exercise Lightning Strike is Finland’s largest land force drill in the Arctic Circle in modern times. For Ex Northern Forest a British Armoured Infantry Company joined with a Finnish brigade, a Norwegian Armoured Reconnaissance battalion and a US Army Mountain Division to repeal “an enemy force” comprised of Finnish, Swedish and US Marine Forces as part of a realistic combat scenario. The exercise tested the international forces ability to collaborate and operate together.
“Ex NORTHERN FOREST was an extraordinary training opportunity for A Company.
It is a rare luxury to train on armour in this vast, complex terrain that offers such advantage to light role infantry. As such we were forced to adapt our tactics to remain a relevant part of the battlegroup, and in so doing we learned a great deal from our allies, whether they were our adversaries on this exercise, or not.
From the Finns we learned the value of operating as small dispersed teams amidst the challenges of avoiding fratricide. From the Swedes we learned the confidence to plough our armour through the swampy, rocky forests to make aggressive terrain gains. From us they saw the battle-winning advantage of deploying empowered junior leaders with anti-armour screens forward of our fighting vehicles.
This exercise has been immensely fun and challenging. It has been refreshing to be obliged to adapt novel tactics and to challenge the cultural sacred cows of armoured tactics. We have also been hosted particularly well, too. We are definitely fighting among friends out here.”- Major Peter Daniell, Commanding Officer of A Company, 5 Rifles.
Ex. Spring Storm
NATO Exercise
When: May
Where: Estonia
Scale of the Exercise: 14,000 military personnel from 11 NATO nations- including Estonia, Canada, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Poland, US and UK.
UK Military Might: 1,500 service personnel from Queen’s Royal Hussars, 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team, Light Dragoons Battlegroup, HMS Albion, Royal Marine Commandoes. 337 vehicles including Challenger 2 Tanks, Warriors, and CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, MLRS, 4 RAF Typhoons, 5 Apaches and 4 Wildcats.
Summary: The largest annual military exercise in Estonia, involving the UK-led NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup comprised of both UK and French Forces. The battlegroup was joined by 14,000 personnel from 11 NATO Allies. Spring Storm is part of a NATO allies commitment to ensure a robust, combat-ready force that can scale up from the existing battlegroups to brigade-size units. Realistic battlefield scenarios were conducted including trench assaults, reconnaissance missions, and light infantry tactics. As well as armoured vehicle manoeuvres and combined arms warfare.
Ex. Swift Response
NATO exercise
When: May
Where: Estonia
Scale of the Exercise: 14 partner nations
UK Military Might: Pathfinders from 16 Air Assault Brigade, RAF C-17 Globemaster
Summary: The first of three major US-led military exercises fro NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, spanning the Baltic Sea and Mediterranean regions. British Pathfinders jumped 12,000 feet as an advance reconnaissance force, to scout out enemy positions, mark drop zones and provide tactical intelligence and offensive action support.
Ex. Open Spirit
NATO Security Mission
When: May
Where: Latvia
Scale of the Exercise: 8 NATO nations- Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Germany, Belgium, Canada, US and UK.
UK Military Might: Royal Navy divers
Summary: NATO Security Mission for a multinational explosive ordnance disposal exercise hosted by Latvia. The aim of the exercise is to clear the Baltic Sea of sea mines, torpedoes and other explosive remains from both World Wars and the Cold War. The exercise has been taken place since 1997 and rotates between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
“From the most junior seaman to senior operators, working closely with our partners and allies demonstrates the resolve and commitment of the UK and all NATO to regional Baltic security and the principles of collective defence.
It’s fantastic to be working with our friends in the Baltic again, this constant drum beat of exercise allows real relationships to grow, bound by our shared values, stronger together and ready to defeat aggression.” — Chief Petty Officer James Roberts, Delta Squadron of the Diving & Threat Exploitation Group, Royal Navy.
Ex. Arctic Challenge
Nordic Defence Cooperation joint live air exercise
When: May - June
Where: Sweden, Norway and Finland.
Scale of the Exercise: 2,700 military personnel and 150 aircrafts from 14 nations.
UK Military Might: One Voyager, 6 Typhoons from RAF 11 Squadron, and a team from RAF Spadeadam with a selection of surface-to-air missile systems, a SA4 tracked vehicle, 6-wheeled amphibious vehicle.
Summary: This major Nordic exercise dates back to 2008, when it was a collaboration between the three Nordic nations- Sweden, Norway and Finland to practice together. The exercise has since grown to include even more allied and partner nations, aiming to strengthen the participating nations’ defence, increase operational effectiveness, improve resource allocation and increase cooperation. The two-week long exercise saw the RAF Typhoons undertake a variety of missions alongside and against jets from participating nations, whilst a simulated adversary ground-based air defence network was also part of the scenario.
Ex. Adriatic Strike
Joint Terminal Attack Controller [JTAC] exercise
When: June
Where: Slovenia
Scale of the Exercise: 800 military personnel from 26 partner nations.
Summary: Slovenia is hosting the multinational exercise, Adriatic Strike 2023, for the 11th consecutive year. The live training conducted on this exercise helps maintain readiness and improve air-land cooperation.
Ex. BALTOPS
NATO Strike Force multinational exercise
When: June
Where: Baltic Sea
Scale of the Exercise: Nineteen NATO Allies, one NATO partner nation, 50 ships, more than 45 aircraft, and approximately 6,000 personnel.
UK Military Might: Several Royal Navy Vessels including HMS Albion, frigates, minehunters and patrol vessels.
Summary: Now in its 52 year Exercise Baltops, hosted by Strike Force NATO, is the largest multinational exercise in the Baltic Sea. Its purpose is to improve maritime security in the region through partnership and the sharing of resources, and to enhance cooperation among the Baltic states.
The exercise also makes an excellent opportunity to test the skills and capabilities of the participating nations and — crucially — their ability to work together.
Whilst Finland have participated in past iterations of this exercise, this year will be the first time they take part as a NATO member.
