British and French paratroopers practise NATO defence
Around 2,500 troops took part in a large-scale exercise in Germany involving drones and electronic warfare.
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British and French troops have held a major airborne exercise in Germany to practise defending NATO territory. Around 600 paratroopers jumped from British transport aircraft during Exercise Rhino Titan.
According to the British Ministry of Defence, around 2,500 British and French troops took part in the exercise. The operation took place on and around the Sennelager military training area in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The paratroopers were transported by four RAF A400M Atlas aircraft. Three Chinook helicopters also took part. According to the British ministry, it was one of the largest British airborne operations of the past twenty years.
The exercise simulated an adversary using drones and electronic warfare. This reflects lessons from the war in Ukraine, where unmanned systems and disruption of communications play an important role. The exercise was not a combat operation and did not mean that the countries involved were sending new troops to a conflict zone.
The British 16 Air Assault Brigade is regarded as a unit that can be deployed rapidly worldwide. The training was intended to demonstrate how British and French units can respond quickly, together with German allies, to a threat to NATO territory.
The exercise is part of a broader intensification of European defence cooperation. This month, London and Paris also held a joint exercise involving British and French fighter aircraft as part of France’s nuclear deterrent. This does not mean that the two countries are placing their nuclear weapons under a single command; it concerns operational cooperation and sending signals to allies and potential adversaries.
The exercise is relevant to the Netherlands because the Netherlands is a member of NATO and regularly works with British, French and German units. The exercise mainly says something about military preparedness and interoperability. It is not an indication that a specific attack is expected in the short term.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- British and French troops held a large-scale exercise in Germany on 25 October.
- The exercise focused on the joint defence of NATO territory.
- Drones and electronic warfare formed part of the scenario.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that European countries should organise their defence more effectively together, but warns that military exercises are no substitute for diplomacy, conflict prevention and investment in resilience.
Values International cooperation, democratic oversight and restraint in militarisation.
Consequences Greater cooperation can make European countries stronger, but higher defence spending could come at the expense of social and climate spending.
Centre
Arguments Sees exercises as necessary institutional preparation within NATO, provided that objectives, costs and risks remain transparent.
Values Collective security, proportionality and democratic oversight.
Consequences Better cooperation can strengthen deterrence and reduce the risk of misunderstandings, but requires ongoing political coordination.
Right
Arguments Emphasises that credible military strength is necessary to deter Russia and other adversaries and to protect NATO allies.
Values National security, order and responsibility towards allies.
Consequences More training and defence capacity can reduce vulnerability, while inadequate preparation could create greater risks.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core information on the participants, location, numbers and purpose of the exercise has been confirmed by two public sources. The text clearly distinguishes between training and an actual military deployment.
- confirmed Around 2,500 British and French troops took part in the exercise. — Mentioned by Sky News. source
- confirmed Around 600 paratroopers jumped from RAF A400M aircraft. — Mentioned by Sky News. source
- confirmed The exercise took place near Sennelager in Germany. — Mentioned by Sky News and the Independent. source
- confirmed The exercise simulated drones and electronic warfare. — Description of Exercise Rhino Titan by Sky News. source
Editor's note
The scale, location and nature of the exercise have been confirmed by Sky News and the British ministry. The reference to Ukraine concerns general military context, not a claim that the exercise is directed at a specific threat.Sources
- British and French paratroopers take part in major wargame in Germany — Sky News
- UK-France deepen nuclear defence ties in first joint exercise — UK Ministry of Defence
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „navo defensie”
- RTL Nieuws — „navo defensie”
- NOS — „navo defensie”