Scotland will host one of Europe’s largest military exercises next month in a show of strength by Nato towards Russia.
Prime Minister David Cameron announced yesterday that up to 12,000 personnel from more than a dozen Nato nations will be taking part.
More than 58 warships and submarines, 50 fixed-wing aircraft and nearly 3,000 land forces will participate.
The event will mark the inclusion of the UK’s regular “Joint Warrior” exercises in the alliance’s official programme for the first time.
It will also be held amid heightened tension between western powers and Russia’s Vladimir Putin in the wake of the Crimea conflict.
The Ministry of Defence would not reveal the exact locations of the war games last night, but previous Joint Warrior exercises have stretched from the Irish Sea, north to Cape Wrath and east to the Moray Firth.
Mr Cameron announced the plan following a meeting at Downing Street between David Cameron and Nato General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg.
The prime minister said: “These exercises showcase the breadth of the UK’s military capability and demonstrate the strength of the Nato alliance.
“We will continue to play a leading role in Nato and, by working together with our Allies, we send a clear message to those who threaten us – that the UK and Nato have the military capabilities, resolve and ability to support our eastern allies and defend our own waters and airspace.”
The MoD said Joint Warrior would prepare personnel for Nato’s next exercise – called “Trident Juncture” – which will take place in the Iberian peninsula between September and November this year, and will be the largest live exercise of its kind for more than a decade.
The UK’s contribution to this exercise will include an Army Brigade Headquarters and Battlegroup, a Naval Task Force including a helicopter carrier, assault ship, frigate and mine counter measure vessel and RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “Exercise Joint Warrior provides realistic training platforms for our armed forces, testing the vast capabilities of the three services while working very closely alongside our Allies.”