Thousands of British and French troops conducted a large NATO airborne exercise in Germany to test defenses against modern threats, the British government said on Saturday.
The seven-week drill, codenamed Rhino Titan, involved 2,500 personnel and included one of Britain’s largest airborne operations in two decades. Some 600 British and French paratroopers dropped from four RAF A400M Atlas transport aircraft over the Sennelager training center in Germany. The exercise simulated responses to an adversary using drones and electronic warfare .
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the drill demonstrated NATO’s ability to deploy rapid, large-scale airborne forces to defend allied territory. “The threats we face in the 21st century require an updated, modern approach to warfare,” he stated. Streeting added that the combination of troops and specialized equipment was necessary to deter adversaries and protect Britain and its allies .
The exercise comes amid heightened concerns over Russian aggression in Europe, particularly following Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Western nations have accused Russia of conducting hybrid campaigns, including espionage and sabotage, though Russia has denied these claims .
