Frontline British and French soldiers are doing battle in training as they demonstrate their readiness to defend NATO territory.
British Soldiers and French soldiers working alongside each other during Exercise Gaulish in France.
A French soldier from 152nd Infantry Regiment, known as Les Diables Rouges (Red Devils) during Exercise Gaulish.
British Soldiers from 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (1 LANCS) wearing the Tactical Engagement Simulation System during Exercise Gaulish in France.
French soldiers from 152nd Infantry Regiment during Exercise Gaulish.
British Soldiers from 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (1 LANCS) operate a drone during Exercise Gaulish in France.
French soldiers from 152nd Infantry Regiment, use a VAB, (armoured personnel carrier) during Exercise Gaulish.
French soldiers from 152nd Infantry Regiment, armed with AT4 CS (close space) anti-tank weapons.
1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (1 LANCS) has around 120 personnel currently working alongside their French partners from 152nd Infantry Regiment to enhance their abilities to work together and share operational knowledge.
The North West’s infantry regiment is one of NATO’s pivotal Army units in the role of Forward Land Forces (FLF) Strategic Reserve, on high alert to deploy rapidly to strengthen frontline forces should conflict break out on the alliance’s eastern flank.
1 LANCS has deployed members of its Burma Company and supporting elements to Europe’s most advanced military urban training facility, CENZUB, in the countryside northeast of Paris – a sprawling 46-square-mile site designed to provide state-of-the-art simulation of warfare in real town environments.
This exercise demonstrates just how lethal the fighting spirit of our soldiers is.
Major Lance Morris, Officer Commanding Burma Company, 1 LANCS, said: “NATO partnership and working together is what makes us stronger. Our French partners are absolutely critical to that.
“This exercise demonstrates just how lethal the fighting spirit of our soldiers is. Here in France, working alongside the French Army, using French weapons systems, employing French tactics and doctrine, as well as the French language, this is the flexibility at the heart of everything that our fighting soldiers do.”
The training estate is amazing, and it’s really helped us improve our fighting skills.
Second Lieutenant Ed Stapeley says it has been valuable to learn from each other.
“It’s been interesting. The French prioritise speed and aggression. They have more manpower on this exercise, so we have to be more methodical.
“On the defensive exercise today, with ‘enemy’ coming from lots of different directions, we had to give ground, then take ground.
“They are really willing to communicate with us and help us learn. The training estate is amazing, and it’s really helped us improve our fighting skills.”
The battalion also has around 200 troops in Estonia, undertaking extreme cold weather training, and is constantly upskilling its personnel in air and land drone systems, battlefield data mapping systems, and anti-tank weapons.
The United Kingdom's commitment to NATO's Forward Land Forces demonstrates our unwavering dedication to collective defence and deterrence.
UK units in this role, such as 1 LANCS, maintain high alert status and undertake extensive training with allied nations.
This posture underscores the UK's view that deterrence and defence of NATO's eastern members is fundamental to Euro-Atlantic security and, by extension, UK national security.