British Royal Air Force Typhoons escorted French Rafales in a simulated nuclear mission over the Mediterranean Oct. 20, the first time British jets joined a French nuclear exercise, the UK Ministry of Defence said.
Rummy lasted two days, Oct. 20-21, and involved no nuclear weapons, the ministry said. It described the drill as a key milestone in cooperation under the Northwood Declaration.
Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin said the exercise showed that “having independent nuclear forces does not exclude coordination.” The ministry said Britain and France retain sovereign, independent nuclear forces and make their own national decisions.
EconoTimes previously reported on the first joint exercise involving France’s airborne nuclear deterrent.
