Royal Navy storms North Devon beach on 81st anniversary of D-Day
Royal Navy officers worked together with their French counterparts
Royal Navy troops have stormed a beach in North Devon as part of militarily exercise drills that coincide with the 81st anniversary of D-Day.
The troops - working together with their French counterparts took part in drills on sand dunes at Braunton Burrows in North Devon.
The training came as soldiers prepared to hone their skills on using amphibious warfare tactics in both Devon and on beaches in the Bay of Biscay.
In total, 3,000 troops from both the UK and France are taking part in raids both in the air and on the water.
This is the first time that the force has collaborated with the French in such a way that has shown its might.
The exercises also fall on the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings, which marked the turning point of the Second World War.
Speaking on the drills, Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said the drills helped to strengthen the alliance between the UK and France.
"The enduring alliance between the UK and France underscores our shared commitment to addressing evolving security threats," he said.
Keeping our joint amphibious force ready and trained through exercises such as this is crucial for protecting not just the UK’s security but also that of our NATO allies."
As well as this Major General Rich Cantrill from the Royal Navy said Devon's landscape provided a perfect opportunity to carry out the drills.
"We’re delighted to participate in this ambitious French-led amphibious exercise and host its initial phase off the Devon coast," he said.
“Amphibious operations are highly complex and so require regular practice. And we must stand united as allies, echoing our history from WWII and maintaining our ability to project power from sea to land.
“As warfare evolves, as we’ve seen with Ukraine, we have to adapt, and the Royal Navy is significantly transforming its Commando Force and the way it delivers operations in the littoral.”