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France and the United Kingdom have conducted their first joint exercise involving France’s airborne nuclear capability, with British Typhoon fighter jets escorting French Rafale aircraft on a simulated nuclear strike mission over the Mediterranean Sea.

The exercise marks a new step in military cooperation between the two countries as they seek to strengthen European security amid growing tensions with Russia and uncertainty over U.S. security commitments.

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces said the exercise, codenamed Rummy, took place on October 20 and 21, 2026, with the joint fighter mission conducted on the evening of October 20. The mission brought British aircraft alongside France’s Strategic Air Forces for the first time in a nuclear exercise involving French aircraft designed to carry nuclear weapons.

The exercise began with French Rafale fighters taking off from Saint-Dizier Air Base in northeastern France, escorted by Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters. The aircraft simulated a nuclear strike over the Mediterranean without using actual nuclear weapons. French and British A330 MRTT tanker aircraft also participated, supporting the mission and demonstrating the ability of their air forces to operate together.

French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said the exercise reflected the growing coordination between the two countries while preserving their independent nuclear capabilities. “Having independent nuclear forces does not preclude coordination,” Vautrin said. She added that cooperation could strengthen the contribution of their nuclear forces to the security of the alliance and the stability of the Euro-Atlantic region.

This week RAF Typhoons have flown alongside French Rafale jets – the first time the UK has taken part in a French nuclear air exercise. It’s a landmark step in UK-France defence co-operation, and a clear signal that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies on European security and credible deterrence.

— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) October 23, 2026

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting also highlighted the significance of the mission, saying the two countries remained committed to European security and nuclear deterrence. He said potential adversaries should have no doubt about the determination of France and the United Kingdom to work together against common threats.

The exercise demonstrated a high level of interoperability between the two air forces, according to French Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Fabien Mandon. The participation of British Typhoons alongside French Rafales represented a significant development for France’s Strategic Air Forces, which have operated independently since their establishment in the 1960s.

Implementation of the Northwood Declaration

The exercise forms part of efforts to implement the Northwood Declaration, signed by France and the United Kingdom in July 2025. Under the agreement, the two countries committed to strengthening cooperation and coordination between their nuclear forces in response to growing security threats in Europe.

The declaration established that the two countries could coordinate their independent nuclear deterrents while retaining national control over their respective arsenals. It stated that there was no extreme threat to Europe that would not prompt a response from both nations, although it did not establish a shared nuclear command or automatic authorization to use nuclear weapons.

The agreement came as European governments reassessed their security arrangements amid Russia’s military posture and uncertainty over the long-term reliability of U.S. security guarantees. France and the United Kingdom are Europe’s two nuclear-armed powers, giving their cooperation particular importance in discussions about the continent’s ability to deter potential adversaries.

Both countries maintain sovereign nuclear forces, and decisions on their use remain separate. The French Ministry of the Armed Forces said nuclear weapons would be considered only in extreme circumstances of legitimate self-defense. The exercise therefore focused on coordinating military capabilities rather than establishing shared control over nuclear weapons.

France’s Push for European Nuclear Deterrence

French President Emmanuel Macron announced in March 2026 that France would increase the size of its nuclear arsenal. He also introduced an initiative offering European partners opportunities to participate in joint exercises and potentially host French nuclear-capable assets on their territory for limited periods.

The initiative is intended to strengthen European deterrence by allowing France to work more closely with its allies while maintaining national control over its nuclear forces. It also reflects growing debate over how European countries can respond to security threats if U.S. support becomes less predictable.

France has an airborne nuclear capability that distinguishes it from the United Kingdom. French Rafale fighters can carry nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, providing Paris with an additional means of delivering nuclear weapons alongside its submarine-based ballistic missiles.

The United Kingdom relies on its submarine-based nuclear deterrent and does not operate an equivalent airborne nuclear component.

France regularly conducts simulated nuclear strike exercises known as Poker to train its air forces for their strategic mission. The Rummy exercise was different because it involved British combat aircraft operating alongside French Strategic Air Forces, marking a departure from their traditional independent approach.

Etienne Marcuz, a senior analyst at the Foundation for Strategic Research, described the British participation as a major development for the French force. He also highlighted the significance of the involvement of at least three British Typhoon aircraft.

European Nuclear Arsenals

France maintains an estimated 290 nuclear warheads and spends approximately €5.6 billion (about $6.04 billion) annually to sustain its arsenal, according to the reported figures. Its weapons can be delivered by submarines and aircraft, giving the country two principal nuclear delivery options.

The United Kingdom possesses approximately 225 nuclear warheads, with its deterrent based on nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines. Although both countries maintain independent nuclear forces, their combined capabilities give Europe two separate national nuclear deterrents.

Their arsenals remain considerably smaller than those of the United States and Russia, whose total nuclear inventories each exceed 5,000 warheads. Nevertheless, closer coordination between Paris and London could strengthen their ability to signal unity and respond to threats against European security.

The Rummy exercise does not establish a shared nuclear command or change the national authorities responsible for authorizing the use of nuclear weapons. Instead, it demonstrates that the two countries can coordinate conventional aircraft and operational procedures in support of their separate deterrent capabilities.

By bringing British Typhoons into a French airborne nuclear exercise, France and the United Kingdom have taken a practical step toward closer strategic cooperation. The mission reinforces their commitment to European deterrence while preserving the independent decision-making arrangements at the center of both countries’ nuclear policies.