France and Britain hold first joint nuclear strike exercise

French and British defense ministries announced their first joint air exercise simulating a nuclear strike, conducted over the Mediterranean.

• The Tuesday-evening drill, codenamed "Rummy," had French Rafale jets escorting British Typhoon fighters in a simulated nuclear strike from Saint-Dizier base in eastern France.
• The exercise involved no real nuclear weapons, the ministries said, marking Britain's first participation in the air component of France's nuclear deterrent.
• French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said possessing independent nuclear forces "does not prevent coordination" between the two countries.
• British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said adversaries must have "no doubt" about London and Paris' commitment to European security.