RAF & Allies Practice Offensive Operations in Europe’s Biggest Aerial Battlespace

Offense As The Main Focus

The Arctic Challenge, a biannual multinational military exercise, had just concluded this June. It featured 14 nations, which included Britain, America, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Czech, Switzerland, and Canada.

The 2-week exercise involved 3,000 troops and 150 aircraft, making it one of the biggest air exercises in Europe. This wasn’t just a coincidence either. Europe was still at peace the last time they did the Arctic Challenge.

In turn, this year the nations focused more on offensive operations – aiming to strengthen their national defenses and increase their aircraft’s operational effectiveness.

Making its debut appearance fully deployed on this exercise was the Voyager aircraft – the UK’s international fuelling station. 

During the exercise, the tanker refueled Finnish F-18s, German and British Typhoons, French Mirages, and Swedish Grippens.

With the exercise now finished, the participating nations are now more confident in their abilities to defend their mainland.