Major NATO exercise to be held in seas off Sutherland and Ross-shire

A MAJOR international military exercise is to be held off the coasts of Sutherland and Ross-shire, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

Exercise Joint Warrior will get under way on October 22, and run until November 2.

The operation will allow NATO and allies to train together in "a safe but realistic environment".

Ten nations are set to take part – including the UK, USA, France, Germany, Canada, Poland, Belgium and Holland.

And the operation will feature no fewer than 19 warships and submarines, 20 aircraft and around 2000 military personnel on military ranges across the country.

Among the activities lined up in the Highlands, will be firing activity in the Cape Wrath Weapons Range, and the deployment of mine counter-measure vessels in the waters of Loch Ewe, Loch Gairloch, Gruinard Bay and the outer approached to Ullapool.

There will also be activity in the North Minches and Loch Ewe.

Elsewhere in the north, around 20 aircraft are expected to take part out of sites that include Stornoway Airport and RAF Lossiemouth.

Exercise Joint Warrior is linked directly with the NATO's military training exercise programme and brings together the UK's navy, army and air force, as well as other participating countries.

The exercise, which takes place twice a year, in the spring and autumn, is designed, planned, and delivered by the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS) at His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth. A command-and-control centre will be set up there to monitor all exercise activity.

Further information on Exercise Joint Warrior, including notices to mariners and impact statements, can be found by visiting Kings Harbour Master Clyde’s page on the Royal Navy website.

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