A stretch of Devon coastline has hosted its largest amphibious military exercise since the Second World War, as NATO allies conducted major landings on Braunton Burrows during Exercise Catamaran.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) supported the high-profile training event, which brought together forces from nine nations including the UK, France, the United States, Brazil, and several European partners. British troops were represented by Royal Marines from 40 and 47 Commando.
The exercise ran from 30 May to 7 June and formed part of the wider French-led Exercise POLARIS 25, a month-long multinational warfighting training programme involving more than 3,000 personnel, over 20 surface ships, and 40 aircraft. Braunton Burrows, known for its vast sand dune system and historic training significance, provided a unique location for beach landings and amphibious operations.
Brigadier Gavin Hatcher, Head of the DIO’s Overseas and Training Region, said the scale of the operation highlighted the UK training estate’s growing role in allied preparations.
“While we enable and support important military training year-round, the scale and complexity of Exercise Catamaran has really showcased the versatility and diversity of what we can facilitate,” he said.
“My team has been working closely with the French military for some time to meticulously plan this phase… it has been great to see this collaboration brought to fruition.”
The DIO worked closely with the French planning staff and UK forces to support logistics, safety coordination, and access management, ensuring training could proceed without disruption to the public. Braunton Burrows remains open to civilians throughout such exercises, requiring careful balancing of military and public use.
Major Martyn Heenan of the Royal Marines highlighted the value of the site and the coordination involved: “It allows the allied nations involved in this exercise to get onto the same space in a challenging area and work together, which is very difficult to do anywhere else in the world.”
The training area was last used at this scale in 1943, when US troops rehearsed for the D-Day landings on Utah and Omaha beaches. Officials say the recent exercise represents a significant milestone in allied cooperation on British soil and underlines the strategic relevance of UK military training assets.
Who’s assault ships did the UK use? did our marines drive ashore in soft skinned light vehicles not much help if its a contested landing but cheap to buy and look good on paper and in stagged promo pix. Most of our nations kit crap, worn out, lacks spares/ammo very out dated but the head of the Army says we are ready to fight Russia, what a deluded fool, he must be hoping to get in house of Lords.
the landings were deployed from RFA Lyme Bay and RFA Argus, commandos inserted in NH90 / Merlins
That because our two APH are decommissioned, Hele trops light on ammo and fire power and rations. Smoke and mirrors to pretend we can do things when really is all a bluff.
The article makes no mention of these landings being “contested”.
Most recent military amphibious landings have been uncontested, because the casualty rate of contested landings is now viewed as unacceptable.
Just like we no-longer order troops out of their trenches and over the top to walk slowly towards enemy machine-guns.
I never said they were, I said if they were. I am sure some land rovers and other soft skin vehicles and un armed helicopters will be fine in the real world. A bit like the 1 Div the light Div thst lacks every thing bit looks great on paper
Why say “if” when it’s never a possibility?
It’s like worrying about the impact of the sun rising in the West 🤷🏻♂️
The Royal Marines don’t operate “Land Rovers”… Jackal 2, Polaris MRZR, more likely.
So nothing fully Armoured then, what if are biggest problem in combat. We limit most of our shambles Army to nice clean cut situations or why else do have a crap Light Div? why because we could not afford to make it Armoured as we had save money , cut kit and then dress it up as great idea when is crap. But i do take your point.
What ifs are possibility but agreed a remote one, not every thing will go to plan or as the Army practise, may be in rose tinned MOD/CDS land they always do.
Correct. Polaris MRZR was bought for RM use, vague on number.
They have a squadron of fully armoured Vikings that can provide lift to one of the Commandos at a time, so yes they do have some armour.
There are also reasons to go light and un-armoured besides cost. Strategic and Operational Mobility are big ones.
The Royal Marines aren’t part of the Army 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
i know, but thank god you cleared that up, i can i ever repay you for letting me know. i served with them in Serria Leone when based on ship at Freetown.
1 Div doesn’t look good on paper…
👍
If only it did!
Picture shows landing at Crow Point at the Taw/Torridge estuary meeting point, landing craft probably from the RM Instow site to the right in the picture. Ships were probably still in the Bristol Channel off Lundy/Saunton. Lot’s of training goes on there including SBS insertions at night.
Facebook comments will be the norm for this one!
FB, the source of so many hysterical laughs.
“French Battleships Invade Devon coast”
“Illegals wade ashore off Woolacombe”
“Tanks seen floating up the Torridge”.
its going to be a bloodbath!
Uh ohh. Very bad timing.
I sense a few interesting comments coming on.
So MoD don’t highlight our own Amphibious capability, which has been seriously degraded, but the sands used for the exercise!!
How many out of date and obsolete LPDs are in use by the other nations I wonder?
Obsolete French and Spanish LHDs and LPD were involved I believe. Our RMs managed to get a lift ashore and according to the RN website ‘British and French troops stormed ashore’ and according to a RN Commander ‘the RN is significantly transforming its Commando Force and the way it delivers operations in the littoral’.
Embarrassing management speak is an understatement but I suppose one day he will get a CBE or Knighthood for his troubles.
Why do you considered mistral and Edar obsolete ?
He doesn’t, Jules. He was following my sarcasm with sarcasm of his own.
France retains a fine capability.
Got it! British sarcasm definitely suffers too much the translation into French
From memory I think Instow, so ATTURM ( 11 LC Sqn RM ) is just south west of the Burrows, on the other side of the channel.
Yes,It is right next to the Cricket ground, it has it’s own slipway, there is another site on the same side further along towards Bideford.
Interesting to see the sand mats being used, It’s a long way to the Burrows from there and most of it is sand. There is an entrance that is used by Boat owners but the route to the dunes takes you along the old American road. Sea borne invasions are simpler as Saunton has a very gentle sloping beach and there are many old trackways heading inland. LPD’s look just like they did decades back.
“Beware The Sands of time”.
Was report in local online rag about French Commando popping out of a bush and asking local walking their dog if they were enemy!!!!!!
Way, way back, we used to train the GSD’s there, one of mine sniffed out a couple of SBS one night, it didn’t end well.
“Run away”.
I notice Brazil took part in the ‘landings’. I hear they have a fantastic Amphibious Assault Ship. I wonder if it was used…
Don’t be silly, she was nackered, bent, broken, worn out, beyond her designed lifespan, obsolete, no longer ocean worthy, blah blah blah. That’s why Brazil paid £80 million to give her a nice new home.
“Brazilians must be nuts”.