06 Jun 25. Royal Navy at the heart of milestone joint Franco-British exercise.
- Royal Navy leads UK involvement in French-led amphibious warfare training
- Support ships RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus launch Royal Marines ashore in North Devon, alongside French and Spanish troops
- Exercise Catamaran demonstrates the enduring UK-France alliance’s commitment to European security, crucial for protecting the UK and NATO allies
British and French troops stormed the beaches of North Devon together as they honed amphibious warfare tactics during two weeks of drills on both side of the English Channel. This joint amphibious warfare training – codenamed Exercise Catamaran– is currently taking place for the first time in seven years. The exercise is in two phases, in Devon and in the Bay of Biscay, and will test the ability of allied nations to operate effectively together in a war-time scenario. A combined Royal Navy and Marine Nationale task group of 11 warships, aircraft and some 3,000 troops are operating under the control of the joint French and British Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, which is designed for use in a wide range of crises – including the amphibious operations that are on show during Catamaran. Support ships RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus have been acting as the launchpad for Royal Marines operations as Green Berets from 40 and 47 Commando carry out seaborne and helicopter commando raids onto the beaches and vast sand dunes at Braunton Burrows in North Devon. French and Spanish troops are also conducting amphibious landings as allies increase their ability to operate effectively together. It is the first time since 2018 that the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force has flexed its muscles and comes at an important time for European security. Notably, the exercises take place across the anniversary of the D-Day Landings (today June 6) – reflecting the continued relevance of these operations 81 years on since the largest amphibious landing in history.
Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, said: “The enduring alliance between the UK and France underscores our shared commitment to addressing evolving security threats. Keeping our joint amphibious force ready and trained through exercises such as this is crucial for protecting not just the UK’s security but also that of our NATO allies.”
Major General Rich Cantrill, the Royal Navy’s Commander Operations who is responsible for commanding and orchestrating operations around the globe, said: “We’re delighted to participate in this ambitious French-led amphibious exercise and host its initial phase off the Devon coast. “Amphibious operations are highly complex and so require regular practice. And we must stand united as allies, echoing our history from WWII and maintaining our ability to project power from sea to land.
“As warfare evolves, as we’ve seen with Ukraine, we have to adapt, and the Royal Navy is significantly transforming its Commando Force and the way it delivers operations in the littoral.”
Commander Alex Knight, Commander of the Amphibious Task Force, added: “This is an incredible opportunity to demonstrate the full spectrum of amphibious capability held within the UK’s Littoral Response Group.
“Following a busy year focused on contingent operations across the globe, Catamaran provides the UK Commando Force the freedom to explore how we operate as an Advance Amphibious Force, working alongside CJEF and NATO partner nations in demonstrating our ability and readiness to deliver this powerful capability from the sea.”
The second phase of the exercise – from tomorrow until June 15 – will see training carried out in the Bay of Biscay, with Royal Marines operating from French Navy ships and air assaults launched from Royal Navy Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset onto the French coastline. 845 and 847 Naval Air Squadrons of the Commando Helicopter Force will be flying the assault sorties over France and will be involved throughout Catamaran, with flying operations from RFA Argus. Exercise Catamaran is the amphibious element of the wider French-led Polaris 25 exercise, which sees allied nations working on warfighting skills together. Some 20 ships, 40 aircraft and 3,000 personnel are involved in the training in the Channel and Atlantic. The Combined Joint Expeditionary Force was conceived following the 2010 Lancaster House Treaty and provides the framework for close military cooperation between the UK and France. This deep relationship will be further strengthened later this year as our two nations refresh the Treaty. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
30 May 25. QinetiQ Banshee to train NATO allies. QinetiQ’s Banshee Jet 40+ aerial target has been approved for use in training International armed forces at NATO’s Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI) in Crete, after successfully meeting the necessary safety standards. This latest certification means that all variants of QinetiQ’s Banshee aerial target, including the Jet 80+, are now fully qualified for operations at the NAMFI firing range. QinetiQ will continue to serve as a provider of targets for NAMFI range users, offering a variety of simulations and flight paths using its complete portfolio of aerial targets. NAMFI enables European armed forces to enhance their air defence capabilities and improve rapid response readiness. By offering cutting-edge target solutions, QinetiQ is playing a vital role in strengthening Europe’s ability to defend itself against evolving threats, while also supporting NATO’s commitment to collective security. The accreditation of the Banshee Jet 40+ also reinforces the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a multinational effort led by Germany to enhance integrated air and missile defence across the continent. All ESSI partner nations can conduct training at the NAMFI facility, utilising QinetiQ’s training targets and other defence systems, including the IRIS-T SLM, a surface-launched air defence missile system designed to protect ground forces and infrastructure from aerial threats. The performance requirements and specific targets used in each simulation will determine the type of threat that can be replicated. Exercises at the NAMFI range can include any combination of Air-Breathing Targets (ABTs), such as helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, including the Banshee or Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) simulations, covering short-range, medium-range, intermediate-range, and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Spyros Exarchos, Business Development Manager, QinetiQ, said: “With this latest qualification, QinetiQ is proud to offer its entire range of proven aerial and sea surface targets to support Europe’s defence forces in developing the skills and readiness they need to confront modern threats. (Source: ASD Network)