British fighter jets and helicopters train to attack targets at sea on Nato's eastern flank
RAF Typhoon fighter jets and Army Apache and Wildcat helicopters participated in a tri-service exercise, honing their skills by firing heavy machine-guns and advanced missiles at targets in the sea.
Taking place on the coast of Estonia, the exercise, named Spring Tempest, was conducted jointly with the host country and France, demonstrating the ability of the UK and its allies to deliver precision strikes.
Spring Tempest saw the Apache armed with Hellfire missiles, CRV7 rockets and 30mm rounds, while the Typhoon jets were armed with Paveway IV laser-guided bombs and 27mm armour-piercing rounds.
"Exercise Spring Tempest clearly demonstrates the successful integration of our land, aviation and air capabilities," said Commander of Op CABRIT, Brigadier Giles Harris.
"Through rigorous training with our allies, we prove we are a capable, flexible multinational force," he added.
This training follows Exercise Spring Storm, the largest annual military exercise in Estonia involving the UK-led Nato enhanced Forward Presence (eFP), which saw more than 1,500 UK personnel training alongside 10,000 personnel from 11 Nato countries.
HMS Albion, carrying approximately 550 sailors and Royal Marines, joined up with the RAF and the Army to take part in the Nato training exercises happening in the region.
The Royal Navy's amphibious assault ship supported a further training exercise last weekend on the Estonian north-western coast which saw the three services working together.
Typhoon jets, Apache, and Wildcat helicopters flew in a tight, programmed formation overhead, as the Royal Marines transported soldiers from the Queen's Royal Hussars and their 62-tonne main battle tanks from the shore into HMS Albion's dock.
"It is not often the Royal Navy, RAF and Army are in the same place at the same time with major assets," said Captain Marcus Hember, HMS Albion's Commanding Officer.
"This gave us the opportunity to test how we can work together at sea, proving again the Royal Navy can move Army heavy equipment on and off a shoreline whilst being safely covered air by the RAF and Army Air Corps," he added.
The RAF has also been bolstering Nato's presence, currently leading the alliance's air policing mission in Estonia with more than 200 personnel based at Amari Air Base.
By maintaining a persistent Nato presence along its eastern border, the eFP deters aggression towards the alliance's borders.
Join Our Newsletter
