NATO FORCES CONDUCT LARGEST AMPHIBIOUS LANDING IN THE UK SINCE WORLD WAR II
One of the largest amphibious military exercises since World War II was carried out on the coast of Devon, in the United Kingdom, during Exercise Catamaran.
The event involved the participation of nine countries and NATO forces, including the United Kingdom—with the Royal Marines representing British troops—France, the United States, and Brazil. The operation took place between May 30 and June 7, as part of the largest multinational military training program, POLARIS 25, which involved thousands of troops, dozens of ships, and aircraft.
The landing site, Braunton Burrows, is known for its dune system and historical significance in military training, having last been used on a large scale during preparations for D-Day in 1943. The UK’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) supported all logistics, safety, and access management, ensuring continuity of operations without affecting civilian use of the area, which remains open to the public even during the exercises.
According to training officials, the scale and complexity of the operation highlight the growing role of British training areas in allied joint preparations. The exercise also reinforces cooperation among participating nations, allowing troops from different countries to train together in a challenging environment—something rare to find elsewhere in the world.
The event marks an important step forward for military collaboration on British soil and underscores the strategic relevance of these locations for the future.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @mod\_dio | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team