RAF TYPHOONS ESCORT FRENCH JETS IN NUCLEAR EXERCISE

RAF Typhoon fighters took part in a French nuclear air exercise for the first time, the UK Ministry of Defence said. The aircraft escorted French Rafale jets during a simulated nuclear strike mission over the Mediterranean. French forces launched the Rafale jets from Saint-Dizier Air Base in France. The Ministry of Defence said the exercise, named Rummy, involved no nuclear weapons. French armed forces minister Catherine Vautrin said the flights took place on Tuesday evening.

The exercise followed an agreement last summer to strengthen cooperation between the two countries over their nuclear forces. The UK Ministry of Defence placed it under the Northwood Declaration, which sets out closer defence cooperation with France. “Having independent nuclear forces does not preclude coordination,” Vautrin said. She said the exercise demonstrated the two countries’ commitment to European security and nuclear deterrence. British defence secretary Wes Streeting called it a step in UK-France defence cooperation.

The UK Ministry of Defence said the exercise aimed to improve how British and French forces operate together. It said the UK planned to invest £63 billion over four years in its nuclear deterrent, including submarines and a new warhead. The government also plans to buy 12 F-35A aircraft and join NATO’s nuclear mission, according to the ministry. Earlier in October, France’s defence ministry said it had test-launched an unarmed M51.3 ballistic missile off Brittany. It said the launch formed part of work to certify the submarine Le Vigilant after a major maintenance overhaul.