UK, France hold first joint nuclear strike exercise

The United Kingdom and France have conducted their first joint air exercise simulating a nuclear strike, marking a significant step in defence cooperation between the two European nuclear powers.

The exercise, codenamed “Rummy”, took place on October 20 and 21 over the Mediterranean, with British Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets escorting French Rafale aircraft on a simulated nuclear strike mission, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

The drill did not involve actual nuclear weapons. It aimed to improve coordination between the two countries’ independent nuclear deterrence forces amid growing security concerns in Europe.

The exercise followed the Northwood Declaration, agreed by London and Paris in July 2025 to strengthen cooperation on nuclear deterrence while preserving independent national decision-making on the use of nuclear weapons.