French fighter jets have joined their British and American counterparts in a large training exercise over the North Sea.
More than 40 military aircraft took part in the drill today, including two of the RAF’s F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jets, based at Marham in Norfolk.
The operation, carried out at a time of heightened tensions with Russia, has been described as a "great insurance policy".
It saw planes take off from bases around the country, with the exercise led by the US Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk.
The exercise has taken place before, but this year’s is the largest to date, with almost double the aircraft, and it is the first time the French air force has participated.
Aircraft from the three air forces, including the French Rafale fighter and US F-15, worked as a team against "threats" in the training environment.
Air Commodore Jez Attridge, of the RAF, said: "The point of the air force, the first point of an air force is to be able to defend the country so you have to recognise the threats out there.
"We can see the environment is changing, we can see the challenge that Russia is giving to the international rules-based order so we are the insurance policy and we are recognising that through the scenario that we’ve got, the non-permissive environment, and our ability to operate with our allies, the French and the Americans, is paramount.
"It really is a case of us staying ready so that we can be used if we need to. It’s a great insurance policy."
He described the inclusion of the two F-35s as a "huge milestone" which "really shows the progression that Lightning Force is making".
The first four F-35s touched down at RAF Marham in June, and five more arrived in August.
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