LONDON — More than 2,500 British and French troops have taken part in a major military exercise in Germany that included one of Britain's largest airborne operations in two decades, the UK government said on Sunday, October 25.

Source: PA Media via Classic FM

The exercise, called Rhino Titan, was designed to show how NATO countries could be defended against a modern-day attack, at a time of heightened tension in Europe over Russia's war in Ukraine. Around 600 British and French paratroopers jumped from four RAF A400M Atlas transport aircraft over Germany during the exercise.

2,500+British and French troops taking part
600paratroopers in the airborne jump
4RAF A400M Atlas aircraft used
7 weeksduration of Exercise Rhino Titan

The seven-week exercise, held at the Sennelager training area in Germany, has been testing Britain's 16 Air Assault Brigade — the UK military's Global Response Force, held at very high readiness — against an opposing force equipped with drones and electronic warfare, the kind of technology Russia could be expected to deploy, the Ministry of Defence said. The jump was the first time troops and specialist equipment have been brought together at this scale from low-altitude jumps, it added.

Source: AFP via RoboDaily

"We have been given a realistic challenge to defend NATO territory and pitted against an enemy using drones and electronic warfare, which is what we would face on the modern battlefield," Brigadier Ed Cartwright, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, said in a statement reported by Rapporteur. The operation involved the 3 PARA Battlegroup, supported by a company from France's 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, and three RAF Chinook helicopters, including moving a medical reception station by air. Germany provided logistical support as host country.

Source: Rapporteur

"The threats we face in the 21st century require an updated, modern approach to warfare — and our adaptable armed forces are preparing accordingly," Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said. "Alongside our French and German allies, this large-scale training exercise shows we can deliver rapid, large-scale airborne power anywhere it's needed to defend NATO territory."

The exercise comes days after Paris revealed that British jets had joined French counterparts for their first joint exercise involving France's airborne nuclear capability, according to PA Media. Western nations have accused Russia of waging a hybrid campaign of espionage, sabotage and other disruptions across Europe — charges Moscow has denied.