Navy flagship and fast jets for massive military exercise

Published 21 Sep 2009 16:06 0 Comments

The Clyde will be the operational focus as the Royal Navy's flagship HMS Illustrious - the nation's strike carrier - takes the lead this year in Exercise Joint Warrior, the biggest military exercise in Europe.

Ships will arrive in HM Naval Base Clyde from Friday, October 2, for the exercise which starts on Monday, October 5 and which will last for three weeks.

The scenario for the exercise sees three sovereign nations quarrelling over disputed territory, the involvement of state-sponsored terrorism, a period of built up tension and then simulated war fighting and open hostilities.

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious will be the biggest ship taking part, with Type 23 frigates HMS Northumberland and HMS Portland also flying the White Ensign.

The United States Navy is sending four ships, as is Canada, and there will be other ships from Denmark, France, Turkey and - as something of a rarity - the Brazilian frigate BNS Defensora.

Four submarines will take part - one from the UK, two from Norway and one from France.

In the air will be helicopters from the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, the USA and Denmark, while planes will fly from the UK, Germany, France, Canada, Norway and the USA.

Ground forces will be provided by the UK, Belgium and from the world famous United States Marines.

Faslane will host more than 100 of Britain's tri-service personnel and their allied counterparts who will co-ordinate an exercise which begins with some carefully choreographed scenarios before developing into a more free-for-all approach.

HMS Illustrious will take the lead with her 10 Harrier GR9 jets leading a nine-strong Task Group - and 50 fast jets will fly approximately 75 sorties a day.

There will be some live firing - from fast jets, naval guns and land based mortars - but these will all take place within Weapons Ranges across the UK.

SEE ALSO THIS WEEK'S ADVERTISER - OUT ON THURSDAY

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