Thousands of British and French soldiers participated in military exercises that included one of the largest airborne operations conducted by Britain in two decades, the British government reported on Sunday.
The maneuver is designed to demonstrate how NATO countries can counter a modern attack, amid fears of Russian aggression in Europe as Moscow continues its war against Ukraine.
Approximately 2,500 soldiers participated in the seven-week exercises, which included 600 British and French paratroopers jumping from four A400M Atlas transport aircraft operated by the British Royal Air Force over Germany.
The "Rhino Titan" maneuver, conducted at the Sennelager Military Training Center in Germany, tested British forces’ ability to confront an adversary equipped with drones and electronic warfare tools.
British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said in a statement, "The threats we face in the 21st century require a modern and contemporary approach to warfare, and our adaptable armed forces are preparing accordingly."
He added, "Alongside our French and German allies, this large-scale training exercise demonstrates that we are capable of rapidly deploying massive air power anywhere needed to defend NATO territories."
He pointed out that "this mix of specialized forces and equipment is what is required to deter our adversaries and ensure the security of Britain and our allies."
