Current and Future UK Military Exercises 2026

Defence Press Agency tracks all major UK military exercises involving the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Special Forces.

Dates and locations are subject to change due to operational requirements.

Exercise Tamber Shield 2026

27 April – late May

Type: Multi-national UK/Norway Rotary Wing Exercise

Location: Bergen, Norway

Description: Multi-national UK/Norway-led rotary-wing exercise focused on helicopter operations, troop transport, close air support and interoperability in littoral and mountainous environments.

Exercise Joint Warrior 26-1

June (TBC)

Type: Large-scale Multi-national Maritime Exercise

Location: Atlantic off North West Scotland

Description: One of NATO’s largest maritime exercises, led by the Royal Navy. Involves surface ships, submarines, aircraft and amphibious forces practising joint operations and anti-submarine warfare.

Operation Firecrest 26-2

May 5(TBC)

Type: UK Carrier Strike Group Deployment

Location: North Atlantic, North Sea & High North

Description: Major deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group centred around HMS Prince of Wales, including Exercise Tamber Shield, testing high-intensity warfighting capabilities.

Exercise Wyvern Tor

8 May – 10 May

Type: Rotary Wing Support for Ten Tors

Location: Dartmoor, Devon

Description: Rotary support (RN) providing helicopter lift, casualty evacuation and logistical resupply during the Ten Tors Challenge.

Exercise Atlantic Thunder 26

11 May – 22 May

Type: Live-fire Maritime Strike Exercise

Location: Hebrides Ranges, North West Scotland

Description: Live-fire exercise involving air and naval assets. The centerpiece is usually a SINKEX, where forces use various weapons to sink a target ship.

Exercise Tac Blaze 2026

15 June – 3 July

Type: Dutch Rotary Wing Exercise

Location: RAF Spadeadam, Cumbria

Description: Dutch rotary-wing training exercise conducted at the RAF Spadeadam Electronic Warfare range.

Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2026

2 October – 11 October

Type: Tri-Service Patrol Exercise

Location: Brecon Beacons, Wales

Description: Internationally renowned and one of the toughest military patrol exercises in the world, testing teams in challenging mountain and wilderness terrain.