PARIS (Reuters) - British and French warplanes flew together over the Mediterranean this week in their first joint exercise involving France’s airborne nuclear capability, Paris announced on Friday, highlighting growing cooperation between Europe’s two nuclear-armed powers.
The exercise took place on Tuesday evening, when RAF Typhoons escorted French Rafales on a simulated nuclear strike mission known as “Rummy,” France’s armed forces ministry said.
The French aircraft took off from Saint-Dizier air base in northeastern France.
“Having independent nuclear forces does not preclude coordination,” French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said, adding that nuclear cooperation between France and the United Kingdom continues to deepen.
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the exercise showed both countries were committed to European security and to maintaining nuclear deterrence in a dangerous world.
“In an increasingly dangerous world, our adversaries should be in no doubt: the United Kingdom and France stand together in their commitment to European security and to maintaining the deterrence that has helped preserve peace for generations,” he said.
The joint drill follows the Northwood Declaration, signed by Britain and France in July 2025, which set out a framework for closer cooperation between their nuclear forces amid growing uncertainty over U.S. commitments to Europe.
France has also moved to reinforce its nuclear posture. In March 2026, President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to expand the country’s arsenal and launched an initiative offering European partners closer cooperation through joint exercises and the possible temporary deployment of French nuclear-capable assets on their territory.