British paratroopers take part in large drop

More than 2,500 British and French troops have been training for the largest parachute drop involving UK service personnel in Europe since World War Two.

Troops from around the country, including the 3 PARA Battlegroup from Colchester, have been training with Nato in Germany as part of a seven-week defence exercise.

Brig Ed Cartwright, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, told the BBC: "Nato exists as a defensive alliance; this is absolutely not provocative, this is simply demonstrating that Nato in the UK is ready for war."

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the exercise helped troops rehearse the kind of rapid, co-ordinated operations that modern conflicts demand.

The MoD said it was one of the biggest British airborne operations in two decades.

The exercise sees soldiers carrying all of their equipment when they skydive.

It comes a month after the UK's Chief of Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton said the threat from Russia meant Britain was living through the "most dangerous" period of his 35-year career in the armed forces.

Once landed during the exercise, troops had to face off against threats including enemy drones and electronic warfare, reflecting the reality of modern battlefield combat.

Col Edd Oldfield, commander of the Army's Combat Ready Training Centre, said: "Our soldiers, as opposed to 25 years ago, need to look up - they need to be aware what is going on up above them, and they need to hide from that."

Wes Streeting, Defence Secretary, said: "The threats we face in the 21st Century require an updated, modern approach to warfare - and our adaptable armed forces are preparing accordingly."

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.