RAF Typhoons join French nuclear deterrence exercise for first time

Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoons escorted French Rafale fighters during a simulated nuclear strike over the Mediterranean Sea on October 20, 2026, marking the first British participation in an exercise involving France’s airborne nuclear deterrent.

Named RUMMY, the exercise saw French Rafales depart Saint-Dizier Air Base in northeastern France before conducting the simulated strike under British fighter escort, according to a joint Franco-British statement quoted by French newspaper 20 Minutes.

The drill aimed to improve coordination between the RAF and France’s Strategic Air Forces [Forces aériennes stratégiques, FAS – ed. note], which operate the airborne component of the French nuclear deterrent. The number of aircraft involved and the participating RAF units were not disclosed.

French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin announced the exercise on October 23, 2026, describing it as a milestone in cooperation between Europe’s two nuclear powers.

From observing French nuclear drills to escorting Rafales

A French Air and Space Force Rafale B and a Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon pictured together during a Franco-British nuclear deterrence exercise in October 2026. (Credit: Catherine Vautrin / X)

RUMMY follows the Northwood Declaration, signed by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 10, 2025. The agreement established that the countries’ nuclear forces remain independent but can be coordinated, and created a bilateral Nuclear Steering Group.

When the group first met in December 2025, British officials were invited to observe Operation Poker, the recurring French exercise that rehearses a nuclear air raid. It was the first time foreign officials had been granted access.

Less than a year later, British fighters have moved from observing French nuclear exercises to actively supporting a simulated strike.

France expands European nuclear cooperation

The exercise also comes as France seeks greater European involvement in its nuclear deterrence under the forward-deterrence concept Macron outlined in March 2026.

RUMMY provided a concrete example of conventional support for nuclear operations (CSNO), an established concept within NATO whereby conventional forces support nuclear missions without carrying nuclear weapons themselves. Beyond fighter escort, such support can include aerial refueling, electronic warfare and suppression of enemy air defenses. France, however, retains exclusive control over its nuclear weapons and their potential use.

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Germany is also pursuing closer cooperation. In July 2026, French Rafales and German Eurofighters conducted a joint air activity, while Berlin confirmed plans to participate in a French nuclear exercise before the end of the year.

The exercise comes as the RAF prepares to regain a nuclear strike role for the first time since Britain retired its WE177 nuclear bombs in 1998. London plans to acquire 12 F-35A fighters for NATO’s nuclear-sharing mission, with deliveries expected from the early 2030s.

Unlike France’s sovereign airborne deterrent, the RAF’s future nuclear mission would rely on weapons that are under US custody and control. Britain’s independent nuclear deterrent will remain submarine-based.

RUMMY is separate from that NATO mission, but demonstrates how British combat aircraft can already support nuclear operations through conventional fighter escort, even without carrying nuclear weapons themselves.

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