UK leads major Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise as defence ministers meet in Iceland

Hundreds of British personnel train with allies from the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) to counter rising Russian threat in Exercise Lion Protector 26.

Training takes place across the North Atlantic, High North, and Baltic Sea, with Royal Marines conducting the first exercise in the Faroe Islands since the Second World War.

Comes as the Defence Secretary meets JEF counterparts in Iceland, with Canada and Ukraine also in attendance.

The UK is ramping up its defence of the High North and Baltic to combat Russian hybrid threats with the Joint Expeditionary Force conducting major exercises across the region.

Allies from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), which is led by the UK, have conducted Exercise Lion Protector 26, which saw forces train across the North Atlantic, High North, and Baltic Sea to protect critical national infrastructure, strengthen joint command and control, and counter emerging threats.

From the data cables that connect the UK to the world, to the energy infrastructure that powers homes and businesses, the North Atlantic and High North are vital to our national security.

It comes as the Defence Secretary today meets with his JEF counterparts at a summit in Keflavik, Iceland, where ministers will progress discussions on Canada’s application for membership of the JEF Framework. 

Ministers will also discuss deepening cooperation on countering hybrid threats, furthering industrial collaboration, and support to Ukraine through the JEF-Ukraine Enhanced Partnership. As Canada and Ukraine continue to cooperate closely with JEF, Canadian and Ukrainian ministers will also be in attendance.

Part of Exercise Lion Protector 26 saw Royal Marines from the UK’s Special Operations Maritime Task Group conduct the first exercise since the Second World War on the Faroe Islands, alongside Danish forces.