France, Britain hold first nuclear strike simulation

France and Britain staged their first joint exercise simulating a nuclear strike over the Mediterranean Sea on Oct. 20, the countries' defence ministries said.

The exercise, codenamed Rummy, involved RAF Typhoon fighter jets and French Rafale aircraft. The ministries said the drill complied with security procedures, did not involve actual nuclear weapons and was intended to improve coordination between the two countries.

After taking off from a base in northeastern France, the French Rafales, escorted by RAF Typhoons, carried out the simulated strike, the ministries said.

The exercise comes as tensions remain high between NATO powers and nuclear-armed Russia during Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has offered other European allies the protection of France's nuclear deterrent, after Brexit left France as the European Union's only nuclear power.

French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said having independent nuclear forces did not prevent coordination. UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting said the exercise marked a new chapter in British-French nuclear defence cooperation.