A major military exercise will begin on the River Clyde this weekend.

Joint Warrior will see thousands of service personnel from armed forces across the world take part.

The exercise, which will begin on October 3, will be co-ordinated from HM Naval Base Clyde in Helensburgh and last 13 days.

It will involve 31 warships and submarines, 60 aircraft, and around 6,500 personnel from 14 nations.

Joint Warrior is linked to the NATO exercise programme and is one of the largest tri-Service and multinational exercises of its kind in Europe, incorporating all three of our Armed Forces – the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.

Ships, submarines, aircraft and ground troops from the UK, US and other NATO allies will take part, improving interoperability and warfighting capability at sea, in air and on land. Many of the vessels taking part will berth at HM Naval Base Clyde before and after the exercise. The West coast Royal Navy Base will also host hundreds of additional personnel from the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS) who will co-ordinate Joint Warrior from the Clyde.

Operating in maritime exercise areas off the coast of Scotland, Joint Warrior provides the UK and allies the chance to practise the vital skills needed by our armed forces on the modern battlefield.

Training in skills such as counter-smuggling and insurgency; anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare; mine counter measures operations; joint firing; composite air operations; reconnaissance, and electronic warfare training will all be practised during the two-weeks.

Another vital skill being practiced is GPS denial operations, which will be limited to a small area off North West Scotland. All relevant authorities, including aviation and maritime communities have been consulted in advance and procedures are in place for unforeseen eventualities.

For more information on Exercise Joint Warrior, visit www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/clyde/jw