THE Clyde is set to host elements of a major UK-led multinational exercise next week when Exercise Joint Warrior gets under way.
One of the largest military exercises of its kind in Europe, Joint Warrior will run from October 4 to 15, with several of the participating vessels departing from Glasgow and Faslane.
Eight frigates from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France and Portugal will arrive at King George V Docks in Glasgow between September 30 and October 4 with two UK vessels and one US stopping in at Faslane before joining the exercise.
Eleven nations, 10 Nato and one non-Nato, will take part, bringing 28 warships, two submarines, 81 aircraft and over 6000 military personnel including 130 ground troops to military ranges across the country and to maritime exercise areas off coasts of Scotland.
Joint Warrior 20-02 will form part of a wider “Groupex”, which will run from September 21 to October 15. This is the UK Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth with training taking place mainly off the east coast of Scotland.
Exercise activity will include 30 naval units from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK and the USA participating around the coasts.
A total of 81 aircraft will take part with some of them operating from RAF Lossiemouth, Prestwick Airport and Stornoway Airport.
Cape Wrath Weapons Range in the north of Scotland will also be used for joint firing activity, while the Moray Firth will host a Freedom of Navigation exercise involving small craft and air defence activity.
GPS denial operations will also take place off the west coast. The operations will be conducted at limited periods each day and the relevant authorities have been involved in the planning process and safeguards have been put in place.
Exercise Joint Warrior is linked directly with the Nato Military Training Exercise Programme and brings together all three UK Armed Forces along with the other participating countries, to provide high quality training opportunities and improve joint operations between the UK and its allies.
All units will observe current Covid-19 guidelines and mitigation measures to reduce impact and risks have been put in place, including limited port visits by UK and allied units and then only for operational and logistical reasons.
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