NATO's nuke drills before Kaliningrad 'war'

France and the United Kingdom conducted their first-ever joint airborne nuclear-strike exercise amid rising tensions with Russia, highlighting closer coordination between the two European nuclear powers. According to Agence France-Presse, British Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters escorted French Rafale jets during a simulated nuclear-strike mission over the Mediterranean Sea on October 20 and 21. No nuclear weapons were involved, with the drills designed to test operational readiness and strengthen coordination between French and British forces. Crews also operated A330 MRTT refuelling tankers during the exercise. France’s Armed Forces Ministry said the mission demonstrated growing nuclear cooperation between the allies, while France’s chief of staff highlighted the interoperability of their crews. The exercise followed a 2025 agreement between Paris and London to deepen coordination on nuclear deterrence.