British and allied combat aircraft are conducting large-scale simulated air battles over Britain as Exercise Cobra Warrior 26-2 tests how allied forces would defend the UK and fight together in contested airspace during a major conflict, according to the Royal Air Force.
Running from 14 September to 2 October, the exercise brings together aircraft, personnel and command-and-control specialists from the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States. British Typhoons, F-35 Lightnings, P-8A Poseidons and Air Mobility Force aircraft are operating alongside German, Italian and American aircraft, with Voyager tankers supporting the flying programme.
The scenarios are designed to force crews to operate as part of a large multinational force rather than as individual aircraft or national formations, rehearsing the rapid integration of fighters, surveillance aircraft, tankers and command-and-control elements while facing simulated opposition in contested airspace. The RAF describes Cobra Warrior as the largest test of UK homeland defence and says the exercise is intended to examine how forces can protect and continue operating from British bases while sustaining complex combat missions.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth said: “The return of great power competition across the globe and the significant, and growing, threat posed by Russia to the UK and NATO makes this, by far, the most dangerous period in my 35 years of military service. This is why the RAF is investing in our People and our capabilities – to defend the UK, deter our adversaries and, if necessary, defeat them across the Air and Space domains.
“Cobra Warrior gives us the opportunity to practise our response to aggression, ensuring we are testing our defences and ability to operate alongside NATO partners during a real conflict.”
The exercise also marks the culmination of the RAF’s Qualified Weapons Instructor courses, its senior post-graduate warfighting qualification, placing crews undergoing the course into multinational scenarios involving high-threat and contested operations. German Typhoons are among the aircraft participating, while Italian personnel and aircraft are operating from RAF Waddington and German Air Force personnel are being hosted at RAF Cranwell.
Italian Deployment Commander Major Valerio C. said: “We are truly honoured and excited to be here at RAF Waddington to train alongside our NATO allies and international partners. Cobra Warrior represents the premier tactical training environment, offering an invaluable opportunity to enhance our interoperability, refine joint tactics, and strengthen our collective readiness.
“Participating with our aircraft and personnel allows us to test our capabilities in complex, contested and high-threat operational scenarios. The integration and shared expertise between our nations are what make the Alliance so strong. We look forward to a productive exercise and to flying shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners and qualifying Weapons Instructors.”
Wing Commander Mathew Thornton, Station Commander at RAF Cranwell, said the German deployment was also being used to strengthen the relationships needed for allied forces to operate together during a crisis. He said: “RAF Cranwell is delighted to welcome our German Air Force colleagues to the Station for Exercise Cobra Warrior. This Exercise provides an opportunity to strengthen our long-standing professional relationships, train alongside one another and build lasting friendships.”
Cobra Warrior is built around the RAF’s “Warfighting Ready” and “NATO First” priorities, with the current iteration concentrating on the ability to generate and sustain combat air power from the UK while rapidly incorporating allied forces into the same battlespace.
Where is halfwit? I miss his shtick.