NAVAL ships from 14 countries around the world are expected to gather at Faslane over the next few days ahead of the latest Joint Warrior training exercise.

More than 3,700 military personnel, 52 aircraft, 15 warships and three submarines from 14 countries will take part in the exercise between October 6 and 17.

Many of the UK and international vessels will gather at HM Naval Base Clyde ahead of the exercise as well as at Greenock and Glasgow’s King George V dock.

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

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The exercise will be controlled and directed from the Maritime Operations Centre at HM Naval Base Clyde, with a range of air, surface, sub-surface, sea control and maritime security roles being rehearsed off the west coast of Scotland.

As with many of the previous Joint Warrior exercises, much of the activity during the exercise itself will focus on the waters and airspace off the north and north-west coast of Scotland.

Twelve NATO nations are participating in Exercise Joint Warrior: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey, the UK and the US.

The non-NATO nations taking part are Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

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The military personnel will be split into two opposing task forces, starting in the Scottish Exercise Areas (water and airspace generally to the West of Scotland, particularly The Minches).

Further information on Exercise Joint Warrior, including notices to mariners, details of GPS Denial Operations and impact statements, can be found by visiting the Queen’s Harbour Master Clyde’s page on the Royal Navy website.