The UK’s largest maritime exercise is set to take place in the North Sea over the next few days.
Eleven different nations are taking part in Exercise Joint Warrior, which involves 11,500 military personnel, 45 ships and submarines and 30 aircraft including RAF Typhoons and helicopters.
The training exercise began on Saturday and runs for a fortnight.
The first phase took place in areas off the west coast of Scotland, the Pentland Firth and Cape Wrath.
But from Thursday until Saturday, warships and military jets will be moving into the North Sea and Irish Sea for the next phase.
The exercise will then head to the south coast of England for the final phase from Sunday until next Friday.
What happens during Exercise Joint Warrior?
The training is usually held twice a year to allow the Army, the Navy and the RAF to train together in a realistic but controlled environment.
The training helps Nato partners and their allies sharpen their skills while simulating scenarios such as war, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations.
Exercises will also include preparation in reconnaissance, disaster relief, anti-submarine warfare, amphibious landings and other skills needed in modern battle.
Who is taking part?
The nations participating in Exercise Joint Warrior are:
- UK
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Latvia
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- United States
Will the exercise be visible from the Angus and Fife coast?
The Royal Navy says most of the activity will be taking place between six and eight miles off the coast, meaning it is unlikely the warships will be visible from land.
However, locals may be able to see some activity as aircraft go to and from the training area.
Exercise Joint Warrior comes just days after military jets were seen circling the skies above Dundee and Angus as part of a separate training exercise.
Vapour trails could be seen across the area while planes were witnessed making sharp turns as they approached Dundee.
It was later revealed the planes were taking part in an RAF-sponsored exercise known as Cobra Warrior, involving countries including the US, Germany and Italy.
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