More than 2,000 military personnel from both sides of the Channel – including destroyer HMS Dragon, amphibious ship RFA Lyme Bay, minehunter HMS Chiddingfold, Royal Marines from 45 Commando, raiding craft from 539 Assault Squadron and RAF Chinooks – are involved in the fortnight-long exercise Catamaran 18.

Hornblower readers, look away.

Played out along a 130-mile stretch of the French coast between Quiberon Bay to La Rochelle and involving 14 warships and support vessels, the exercise is the latest in a series this decade which have tested the combined amphibious forces of Britain and France to work hand-in-hand.

According to the Royal Navy, the goal is to create a real-word Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, able to respond to global events – conflict or humanitarian – should Paris and London decide intervention is needed, from 2020 onwards.

“As a big stepping stone to that goal, the French-led exercise allows personnel to share ideas, tactics and capabilities, test joint planning and communications, thus ensuring the success of any future Anglo-French amphibious task force and strengthening the strong bonds that already exist between the UK and France.”

“It has been a good experience working with the French Marines, they are a professional force. The only problem we have encountered has been the language barrier, but we are working around that,” said Marine Scuneman from X Company.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Sceptical Richard
Sceptical Richard
5 years ago

Wonderful to see such cooperation with a close European ally. Great stuff!

Ross
Ross
5 years ago

Agreed

Chris
Chris
5 years ago

(Chris H) Richard – Sorry but I choked at your use of the word ‘close’ when speaking of the French. They are an ally. Thats it. Given they are ‘on manoeuvres’ with the EU and deliberately working against us over Brexit (as distinct from just looking after their interests) I am not sure how the word ‘close’ can apply….

Sceptical Richard
Sceptical Richard
5 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Cause when it comes to military cooperation the relationship is actually quite close. Simple.

keithdwat
keithdwat
5 years ago

Surely Trident is more effective??? 😉

Jonny
Jonny
5 years ago
Reply to  keithdwat

At humanitarian aid? ?

Riga
Riga
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonny

It would stop starvation in Africa and thus the refugees needing to come to the UK… 😉

Marc
Marc
5 years ago

British forces invading France to hopefully rid the continent of the EU.

Kremlin bot 101
Kremlin bot 101
5 years ago

Damn it I thought it was real

Ld Elon Saviour of Britons, King an thee only Pharaoh touched by divinity and did breath the light.
Ld Elon Saviour of Britons, King an thee only Pharaoh touched by divinity and did breath the light.
5 years ago

Shut it down lads, you silly plebs, why you trusting the frenchies, dint you know their at war with Brits since murican independence? You god dammed traitors dint deserve these positions of protection as you tell the enemies them.

Gen Ezsu Ra
😐

Geoffrey Roach
Geoffrey Roach
5 years ago

Brexit Mark Two ? David Davies gets bored and has a word with Gavin ?

Clive
Clive
5 years ago

74 years ago, it was being done for real on the Normandy beaches.

Lewis
Lewis
5 years ago

Good practice for when the EU goes off the deep end and were once again having to save them from some crackpot dictator.

Mdpepa
Mdpepa
5 years ago

Just to balance the brexiteers boorishisms. Maybe when Brexit leads to the EDL getting into power, our close relationship with France and practicing invasions might assist, and free us from Tommy Robinson.

RO_Observer
RO_Observer
5 years ago

L’Entante Cordiale reloaded !