World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
British and French jets hold first joint nuclear exercise
British Typhoon fighters joined French Rafales in a nuclear exercise for the first time.
The jets took off from Saint-Dizier air base in northeastern France and flew over the Mediterranean.
They simulated a nuclear strike without using nuclear weapons in an exercise called Rummy.
The drill followed a 2025 agreement by France and the United Kingdom to deepen coordination over their nuclear forces.
Both countries have independent nuclear arsenals, but say they can coordinate to respond to threats to Europe.
The exercise aimed to improve coordination and understanding between their military personnel.
The two countries say they will stand together against serious threats to Europe, though no specific next step was announced.
British Typhoon fighters joined French Rafale jets in a French nuclear exercise for the first time.
The exercise, called Rummy, took place over the Mediterranean on Tuesday evening.
The French jets took off from Saint-Dizier air base and were escorted by the British fighters as they simulated a nuclear strike.
The two countries said the exercise involved no nuclear weapons.
The exercise followed a 2025 agreement to deepen nuclear cooperation amid growing threats to Europe and uncertainty over the United States.
- Who
- British RAF Typhoon fighters and French Rafale jets took part.
- What
- They held their first joint exercise involving France's airborne nuclear capability, simulating a nuclear strike without nuclear weapons.
- When
- Tuesday evening; the exercise was announced on Friday, October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Over the Mediterranean, after the French jets took off from Saint-Dizier air base in northeastern France.
- Why
- The exercise aimed to strengthen coordination and interoperability between British and French personnel and demonstrate their growing nuclear cooperation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
France and the United Kingdom adopted the Northwood Declaration to deepen nuclear cooperation and coordination.
British Typhoons escorted French Rafales during the Rummy exercise over the Mediterranean.
The French and British defence ministries announced the exercise.
- Exercise
- Rummy
- Participants
- British RAF Typhoons and French Rafales
- Launch point
- Saint-Dizier air base, northeastern France
- Location
- Mediterranean
- Weapons used
- No nuclear weapons were involved
3 sources
What people are saying
Having independent nuclear forces does not preclude coordination
In an increasingly dangerous world, our adversaries should be in no doubt: the United Kingdom and France stand together in their commitment to European security and to maintaining the deterrence that has helped preserve peace for generations