UK-Led Exercise Joint Warrior 23-1 Begins Off Norway

The Royal Navy’s, Exercise Joint Warrior 23-1, part of NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise series, kicked off on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 off the Northern coast of Norway.

Joint Warrior is a biannual, multilateral, multi-warfare exercise that incorporates surface, airborne and land scenarios providing joint training in a multi-threat environment for NATO units. Its overaarching goal is to improve interoperability and readiness of NATO and Allied Forces.

“Exercise Joint Warrior is a significant demonstration and test of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Capability and is an invaluable opportunity for us to integrate and work with our Allies and Partners; honing our efficiency and cooperation. What is pertinent for Joint Warrior this year, is that it takes place as part of NATO’s Steadfast Defender, NATO’s largest exercise since the Cold War and I am proud that HMS Prince of Wales, and the embarked Air Wing, is leading NATO’s maritime forces as part of this historic exercise,” said Commodore James Blackmore RN, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group.

The exercise includes more than 20,000 personnel, 30 ships, 4 submarines and multiple aircraft ranging from maritime patrol and fifth generation fighters to troop transporters. Participating nations include Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Following exercise Joint Warrior, the majority of naval forces will participate in another exercise within the Steadfast Defender exercise series, Norwegian-led exercise Nordic Response.