"Rummy" Exercise: Britain and France Test a Joint Nuclear Scenario Without the US
In October, British and French air forces jointly rehearsed a nuclear strike scenario in the "Rummy" exercise. Analyst Roberts Rasums sees it as a significant step in building a European nuclear shield.
On the night of 20 October, Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets took off from the Saint-Dizier air base in north-eastern France. Their task was to escort French Air Force Rafale combat aircraft in a training nuclear strike on a target in the Mediterranean. The exercise, called "Rummy", was a joint test of British and French nuclear forces. Author Roberts Rasums argues that it marks a significant turning point in the building of a European nuclear shield, and that it highlights the dynamics between European states, NATO and the United States. The text is the author's opinion and may not match the editorial position of Delfi.
How it differs from NATO drills
"Rummy" took place separately from NATO's nuclear exercise "Steadfast Noon" in Italy, which involved 17 NATO nations. That exercise relies on nuclear sharing, under which allied fighter jets carry US nuclear weapons, so the United States is its most important partner.
A new perspective
"Rummy", by contrast, brings together the procedures of the only two nuclear-armed European NATO members, Britain and France, in an independent scenario. Photographs from the French airfield show three British fighters, but the full size of the Royal Air Force contingent is unknown. The exercise scenario included not only joint combat flights but also other elements.
