The Royal Air Force and France’s Strategic Air Forces conducted their first joint air exercise involving France’s airborne nuclear deterrent, with RAF Typhoons escorting French Rafales on a simulated nuclear-strike mission over the Mediterranean. The Rafales launched from Saint-Dizier Air Base in northeastern France during Exercise Rummy, held on 20 and 21 October 2026. No nuclear weapons were used.
The drill brought British conventional fighter support into a French nuclear air exercise for the first time. The Rafales represented France’s airborne nuclear capability, while the Typhoons performed an escort role and did not carry nuclear weapons. The mission was intended to improve interoperability and coordination between the two air forces during operations against common threats.
Exercise Rummy implements closer nuclear-deterrence cooperation established under the Northwood Declaration, signed by the United Kingdom and France in July 2025. The agreement preserves both countries’ independent nuclear forces while providing a framework for greater coordination. French and British A330 MRTT tanker aircraft were also reported to have supported the activity, although the governments did not disclose the number of participating aircraft, RAF units or detailed mission routes.