West Coast hosts NATO drill against missile attacks
The north-west of Scotland is hosting elements of a major NATO exercise which was set to begin on Monday (May 8) with 10 different nations taking part.
Exercise Formidable Shield will run across the north-west coast for three weeks, with NATO forces and partner nations training together in “a safe, but realistic, environment”.
From May 8-26, activity will take place at the Ministry of Defence Hebrides missile testing range sites as well as at the Andoya Test Centre in Andenes, Norway.
Formidable Shield allows NATO and allies to practise working together to defend its European members from ballistic missile threats.
“The exercise will encompass dozens of live-fire rehearsal events against subsonic, supersonic, and ballistic targets involving multiple allied vessels, ground forces and aviation forces from the participating nations,” the Royal Navy said, from HM Naval Base Clyde.
“Participating nations this time include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“Exercises like Formidable Shield are vital tools which allow the NATO Allied nations to work and train together in a realistic, but controlled environment. Military personnel have the opportunity to hone their skills and test the latest technologies in order to better protect NATO communities from ballistic missile threat.
“This will be the largest integrated air and missile defence exercise in Europe in 2023 and in addition to the live firing at the missile testing range sites,
there will also be activity in the international waters of the North and Norwegian Seas.
“Exercise Formidable Shield is a joint and combined exercise, conducted by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO on behalf of United States Sixth Fleet. It will also include participation from US Air Forces in Europe and US Maritime Forces Europe units and personnel.
“Exercise planning staff have liaised with a wide variety of communities and organisations ahead of Formidable Shield to minimise the impact of military activity.”
Scottish Exercise Areas (SXAs) are managed through Fleet Ops in Northwood.