Reconnaissance specialists from the British Army’s Pathfinders (PF) and the German Army’s Fallschirmspezialzüge (FSZ) have collaborated for the first time to share parachuting expertise, according to a press release.
The joint training, Exercise Deep Infil, took place at Aeródromo Militar de Tancos near Lisbon, Portugal. Over nine days, soldiers from both units conducted day and night parachute jumps from a German Luftwaffe A400M transport aircraft at altitudes of 12,000 feet.
The exercise focused on high-altitude parachuting, a critical skill for both units’ roles in discreetly inserting behind enemy lines to identify and secure drop zones for larger troop deployments.
A PF troop commander emphasised the value of the collaboration, stating in the news release:
“It’s been a fantastic opportunity to work with Fallschirmspezialzege, who have almost identical role and capabilities to Pathfinders. What we both do is reliant on our specialist airborne insertion skills, of which parachuting is one, and what better way to start our relationship is there than practising how we would deploy on an operation?”
The exercise allowed the two forces to share tactics, techniques, and procedures, deepening their operational understanding and building a foundation for future collaboration. The PF troop commander added:
“By training together, we are building our understanding of how we each work to be better prepared for any future operations together.”
The German FSZ officer echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of strengthening ties between the two nations:
“Soon after the Defence Ministers decided that the German-British military cooperation should come closer together, our Pathfinder comrades from Britain and the German Fallschirmspezialzüge do parachute training together. There is no better possibility to bond than doing jumps together. We are really looking forward to deepening our relationship, firstly by hosting the Pathfinders in Germany to visit our assessment and selection course.”
This collaboration comes in the wake of the Trinity House Agreement, signed in October, which aims to enhance UK-Germany military relations. It also underscores the growing interoperability between the British and German armed forces as they prepare for potential future joint operations.
The more cooperation the better, Europe needs to be as united as possible in the dangerous new world developing. Doesn’t bear thinking about where we would be now had Russia succeeded in their 3 day take over of Ukraine or even 3 months rather than the self destroying campaign it’s turned out to be. No room for complacency though, things could get much more testing in the coming years.
3 days to take Ukraine? It is interesting when westerners give their own idea of what Russian objectives and time frames are. What do you base it on? Which Russian official said this?
I recall Russia initially attempting to just go directly for Kyiv itself?
Hello Ivan. Westerners?! The cabinet of Ukraine themselves expected it. Do you think these Russian generals telegraph their intentions to alert Ukrainian defence forces? So no, no Russian official said that and they certainly won’t admit to it after their catastrophe in Ukraine costing 500,000 Russian casualties with nothing but hatred towards them now from their Ukrainian cousins and the civilised World. The fact is they marched on Kiev expecting to be welcomed because the imbecilic Russian secret service told Putin his forces would be seen as liberators. The problem here is Russians believe their own propaganda, they are so arrogant as to believe they have business in a neighbours country. They don’t. And they need to leave peaceful nations alone and go home. It’s 2025 not 1825, people won’t put up with that colonial narcissism, go home and sort out your Mafia rulers who don’t care about Russian’s lives would be a good plan.
Is more than that. West involvement in resources in Ukraine. Land and economy. All about greed and powers. Greed of money
Ukraine runs it’s own affairs, elects it’s own rulers, votes on its own laws. Your problem is with the people of Ukraine. Leave the West out of it, you are attacking and killing your own cousins.
Hats off to the Pathfinders a little known elite force.
Sort of. A Defending the Realm episode from the mid 90s was centred on them.
“Phantom Platoon”
At that time they were not established.
Of interest, the episide featured Brigadeer John Holmes, CO 5 Airborne Bde. He was ex SAS in the early 80s and also went on to be a DSF himself.
Nice. Investing in GPS guided parachute system “Joint Precision Airdrop System” would also be nice.
Very good we are working more with our German friends.
Seems a bit of a pointless exercise to me. Are we seriously considering flying a 400 at 12,000 feet over enemy territory. Hopefully the enemy will have no AD capability whatsoever. Sounds like a sitting duck to me. Now if it was HALO different scenario possibly.
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the Russians jump into snowdrifts behind the German lines in ’41 without parachutes on the premise that enough would survive to cause caos ?
I do realise this could well be allied propaganda which could under the present circumstances turn out to be bollox, if true though it’s scary schiesse.
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