Forth to host big display of naval power

Vessels for one of the largest military exercises of its kind are expected to arrive in Fife next week. Warships, submarines, military personnel and aircraft will take part in the multi-national exercise.

Exercise Strike Warrior will be staged off the north coast of Scotland and is expected to bring 31 warships, three submarines, 150 aircraft and more than 13,400 military personnel.

It is scheduled to take place for two weeks between May 8 and May 20, with the Firth of Forth expected to host some elements of the exercise.

HMS Queen Elizabeth, built in Rosyth, will deploy afterwards, according to the Royal Navy.

Exercise Joint Warrior is the largest military exercise in Europe, bringing together the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the British Army, as well as forces from other allied nations.

Fourteen nations will take part, including forces from France, Germany, the USA, Latvia and Poland. Australia will also take part.

All three UK armed forces are expected to participate, with vessels due to arrive at Rosyth and in Leith.

Port visits will be limited for essential logistical reasons through the exercise and coronavirus control measures will be observed.

Scenarios during the operation will reflect potential real-life conflict and crisis situations.

Joint Warrior, named Strike Warrior for the twoweek period, will include airborne assaults, amphibious landings, evacuations and live-fire exercises. Participants will face increasing political and military tensions, along with a range of military tasks such as

intelligence gathering and reconnaissance, antismuggling and counterterrorism operations, humanitarian assistance, and evacuation operations.

The exercise runs through a range of scenarios, including crisis and conflict situations, that could be realistically encountered in operations, such as territory disputes, terrorist activity, and piracy.

The operation has been planned by the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff based at Northwood in London.

FLAGSHIP: HMS Queen Elizabeth will deploy afterwards.