Updated 2h ago · World
British Jets Join French Nuclear Drill Amid Russia Tensions
Britain and France carried out their first joint exercise involving France's airborne nuclear deterrent. British Typhoons joined French Rafales on Tuesday evening.
- French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said the drill shows deepening nuclear cooperation.
- She linked the cooperation to European security.
- France recently test-launched an unarmed M51.3 submarine-launched ballistic missile off Brittany.
Why it matters: The exercise puts British aircraft alongside France's nuclear-capable air force for the first time. It reflects European efforts to coordinate deterrence as US commitment to Nato faces questions.
- Ongoing tensions with Russia form the backdrop to the drill.
How 3 sources split on this story
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3 sources · 4 articles · 34% Left coverage
Center1 source
Left coverage, 1 sources: The left frames the drill as a historic step in Anglo-French nuclear cooperation, driven by Russia tensions and doubts about Trump's commitment to Nato.
Right1 source
What’s next: London and Paris previously agreed to reinforce nuclear cooperation. Coverage does not say when the next joint exercise will take place.
- Will Britain and France make joint nuclear exercises a regular practice?
- How will Russia respond to the drill, if at all?
- What role, if any, did the US play in planning the exercise?
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