Defence · Nuclear deterrent · 25 October 2026
RAF Typhoons join French nuclear exercise for first time
RAF Typhoon fighters have participated in a French nuclear air exercise for the first time, the Ministry of Defence has announced. The exercise, named Rummy, took place over the Mediterranean. No actual nuclear weapons were involved in the manoeuvres.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that RAF Typhoon jets joined French Rafale aircraft in a nuclear exercise for the first time. The manoeuvres, designated as Rummy, were conducted over the Mediterranean Sea. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting described the event as a new chapter in the defence nuclear relationship between the United Kingdom and France.
The exercise launched from Saint-Dizier Air Base in France. It forms part of UK-France defence cooperation under the Northwood Declaration. According to the announcement, the UK is investing £63 billion over four years to strengthen its nuclear deterrent. The government also plans to buy 12 F-35A aircraft as part of this broader investment.
Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin noted that having independent nuclear forces does not exclude coordination. The department stated that the exercise did not involve actual nuclear weapons. This limitation applies to the specific manoeuvres conducted over the Mediterranean. The announcement does not specify when the next such joint exercise will take place.
Written by StreetOwl from Ministry of Defence’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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