France, Britain stage first joint nuclear air strike simulation

France and Britain conducted their first joint exercise simulating a nuclear air strike on Tuesday over the Mediterranean Sea, the countries' defense ministries announced Friday. The drill, codenamed "Rummy," involved French Rafale and British Typhoon fighter jets and aimed to enhance coordination between Western Europe's two nuclear powers amid tensions with Russia.

France and Britain have conducted their first joint exercise simulating a nuclear air strike, the countries' defense ministries announced on Friday. The exercise, codenamed "Rummy," took place on Tuesday over the Mediterranean Sea and involved French Rafale fighter jets escorted by British RAF Typhoon aircraft. The drill was conducted in compliance with security procedures and did not involve any actual nuclear weapons, according to the joint statement. The exercise aimed to enhance coordination between Western Europe's two nuclear powers amid ongoing tensions with nuclear-armed Russia, now more than four years into its invasion of Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has offered other European allies the protection of France's nuclear deterrent, the EU's sole nuclear power after Brexit. French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin noted that possessing independent nuclear forces does not preclude coordination, and said the exercise demonstrates that the forces can contribute to NATO's overall security. UK Defense Minister Wes Streeting called the exercise a "new chapter" in the bilateral relationship on nuclear defense, highlighting the depth of the partnership and the credibility of the deterrents.