Pictures: Major military exercise off North Devon coast creates some stunning images

International military exercises by sea, air and land have made for an impressive spectacle for people on the coasts of North Devon and Torridge this past week.

Warships, helicopters and landing craft have been operating off Braunton Burrows as part of a larger French-led multinational military training exercise called Exercise Polaris, held alongside amphibious warfare training called Exercise Catamaran.

Polaris, which has included vessels from the French, Italian and Spanish navies, has seen members of the UK Armed Forces train alongside NATO Allies from across Europe. 

Above: A military helicopter causes a deer to bolt from cover during the exercise Polaris operations. Credit: Flashback Studios

The Royal Navy has spearheaded the UKs involvement in the joint amphibious exercise in North Devon in a week of drills and cross training, which concludes on Saturday (June 7).

Exercise Catamaran is taking place for the first time in seven years in two phases, in Devon and in the Bay of Biscay, to test the ability of allied nations to operate effectively together in a war-time scenario.

A combined Royal Navy and France’s Marine Nationale task group of warships, aircraft and some 3,000 troops will be operating under the control of a Joint French and British Combined Expeditionary Force, which is designed for use in a wide range of crises – including the amphibious operations that are on show during Catamaran.

Above: Piers Cooke captured this image of a landing craft from Crow Point. Credit: Piers Cooke

Below: Troops disembark from a helicopter on Braunton Burrows. Credit: Flashback Studios

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “A multinational military training exercise is being conducted on Braunton Burrows Training Area this week.

“There will be an increase in military presence on the beach including military equipment and vehicles. This is pre-planned training and there is no need for concern.

“It is important that training exercises can take place without interruption so military personnel are ready to deploy at short notice on critical defence operations at home and abroad.”

**** See many more pictures in our gallery above, courtesy of Flashback Studios, Piers Cooke and Chris Wileman ****