Hundreds of British troops and RAF jets to take part in major wargame in Poland

Hundreds of British troops and RAF jets will take part in a major multinational wargame in Poland to prepare for potential peace in Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The UK and France will lead Exercise Koalicja, involving 2,800 military forces from 11 nations, aimed at ensuring Nato forces are ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees once the war is over.

Running from November 9 to 22, it marks the first major military exercise conducted by the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), the military arm of the Coalition of the Willing.

Some 300 UK troops will take part, with soldiers from the Army’s 7 Brigade, known as the Desert Rats, rehearsing crucial logistical movements as RAF Typhoons and a Voyager refuelling aircraft fly sorties overhead.

The jets will simulate how they would reassure commercial aviation once Ukrainian airspace reopens.

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Image: French and British Paratroopers jump from RAF A400???s as part of Exercise RHINO TITAN. // A major wargame has seen a ???mass drop??? of British troops into Europe. Exercise Rhino Titan saw four A400M military transport aircraft delivering soldiers and stores into the Sennelager Training Area in Germany. The operation included a High Altitude Para (HAP) insertion on October 16, where one A400M deployed 24 paratroopers from 12,000 feet, followed by a Low Level Para (LLP) mass drop on October 20 involving approximately 660 personnel delivered in ???two waves across multiple drop zones???. The MOD said: ???Exercise Rhino Titan marks a significant milestone for UK Defence, demonstrating the ability of the Royal Air Force and British Army to generate and deliver a large-scale airborne force at range." Photo released 27/10/2026

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘This exercise shows the UK is stepping up, alongside France and our allies, to prepare for the day peace comes to Ukraine.

‘This isn’t a hypothetical plan; it’s a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops. By leading this work with our allies, we are protecting the UK and Europe for the long term and delivering on our commitment to keep the country safe.

‘Ukraine’s security is our security, and we will stand with them for as long as it takes.’

Ex Rhino Titan is a military exercise scheduled from 16 to 21 October 2026, involving up to four A400M aircraft tasked with delivering troops and stores into the Sennelager Training Area in Germany. // A major wargame has seen a ???mass drop??? of British troops into Europe. Exercise Rhino Titan saw four A400M military transport aircraft delivering soldiers and stores into the Sennelager Training Area in Germany. The operation included a High Altitude Para (HAP) insertion on October 16, where one A400M deployed 24 paratroopers from 12,000 feet, followed by a Low Level Para (LLP) mass drop on October 20 involving approximately 660 personnel delivered in ???two waves across multiple drop zones???. The MOD said: ???Exercise Rhino Titan marks a significant milestone for UK Defence, demonstrating the ability of the Royal Air Force and British Army to generate and deliver a large-scale airborne force at range." Photo released 27/10/2026

British three-star general Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, who commands the MNF-U, said: ‘This exercise will show that the Multinational Force Ukraine is a real, capable, readily deployable force that represents a serious commitment from Coalition of the Willing nations to Ukraine’s long-term stability and security.

‘The MNF-U will be more ready every day to support Ukraine when the fighting ends, ensuring the Armed Forces of Ukraine are in the strongest possible position to deter future aggression.’

The participating nations are Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK.

Turkish forces in Istanbul will rehearse maritime mine clearance to help restore commercial shipping to Ukrainian ports.

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Original source Hundreds of British troops and RAF jets to take part in major wargame in Poland

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