ONE of the largest multinational military exercises of its kind has seen a number of navy ships assemble off Greenock.

Exercise Joint Warrior, which ended yesterday, allows the UK and their allies to boost their defensive capabilities.

The aim is to allow the UK’s Royal Navy, Army, Air Force and their allies to conduct joint operations involving different forces and units and against a range of current and future threats.

More than 10,000 military personnel, 35 warships, five submarines and 59 aircrafts and helicopters from 13 countries will take part in the exercises which take place across the UK.

A range of air, surface, sub-surface, sea control and maritime security roles will be rehearsed off the West Coast of Scotland with air units and land activity taking place elsewhere.

The exercises involving Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Latvia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain the UK and the US, will be controlled and directed from the Maritime Operations Centre at HM Naval Base Clyde.

Although it is run in the UK, Joint Warrior is closely aligned to NATO training aims and is included in the NATO exercise programme.

Exercise Joint Warrior is held twice a year, in the spring and autumn.