16 Air Assault Brigade continues to strengthen interoperability with the US 82nd Airborne Division and France’s 11e Brigade Parachutiste through a series of exercises and exchanges, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Responding to a written question from Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, Defence Minister Al Carns said cooperation between the formations remains active and will be demonstrated through further activity during 2026. “We continue to develop interoperability between 16 Air Assault Brigade, the 82nd Airborne Division and the French 11e Brigade Parachutiste. These links are strong and will continue to be demonstrated during 2026.”
As part of the UK-US relationship, 16 Air Assault Brigade will participate in the 82nd Airborne Division’s validation exercise for its Immediate Reaction Force role in March 2026. The event follows a series of preparatory activities conducted during 2025 and 2026 intended to strengthen operational links between the two headquarters.
Carns said: “16 Air Assault Brigade will participate in the 82nd Airborne Division’s validation exercise for its Immediate Reaction Force role in March 2026; this is the culmination of a number of preparatory exercises throughout 2025-2026 which has seen tangible links developed between the two Headquarters.”
The partnership with US airborne forces is also reinforced through Exercise Swift Response, a recurring multinational exercise involving NATO allies. According to the minister, the exercise series has been confirmed through to 2027.
Cooperation with France centres on the Airborne Combined Joint Force established under the Lancaster House Treaty. Carns said the arrangement involves alternating responsibility between the UK and France to command a combined brigade, supported by regular training and personnel exchanges.
He added: “The relationship with 11e Brigade Parachutiste is focused around the Airborne Combined Joint Force which is formally recognised within the Lancaster House Treaty.” He noted that the partnership includes bilateral exercises and confirmatory exercises, as well as exchange officers between the brigades who help maintain cooperation and support capability development.
The cynic in me says this is because the Americans and French have available planes they can jump out of.
The cynic in me says that it is because British paratroopers pursue exchange because they prefer to eat burgers and boeuf bourguignon than boiled beef with mint sauce 😉