RAF holds first ever joint nuclear drill with France in warning shot to Putin

Britain and France carried out their first joint exercise involving France's airborne nuclear deterrent, France's armed forces ministry said in a statement on Friday.

British Typhoon jets joined in a nuclear exercise alongside French Rafale warplanes on Tuesday evening, French armed forces minister Catherine Vautrin said.

“Having independent nuclear forces does not preclude coordination,” she said, adding: “Our nuclear cooperation with the United Kingdom continues to deepen.”

Ms Vautrin said the exercise showed the “coordination and commitment” of the two European nuclear powers “in support of Europe’s security and credible deterrence”.

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