UK, French troops drill for urban combat using Ukraine insights
British soldiers driving a Challenger armour and repair recovery vehicle during urban combat exercises in northeastern France on April 22. PHOTO: AFP
French soldiers taking part in urban combat exercises with the British army at a military camp in in Sissonne, in northeastern France on April 22. PHOTO: AFP
SISSONNE, France - Members of the French Foreign Legion (FFL) and British soldiers have started a joint military exercise in northeastern France, applying urban warfare lessons from the conflict in Ukraine, an AFP reporter said.
A French officer, perched on a British armoured vehicle camouflaged with branches in the small town of Jeoffrecourt, translated commands for armoured infantry troops from Britain.
The FFL and the Royal Welsh First Battalion were part of a team trying to capture this town of 5,000 residents on April 23 during a two-week training exercise.
The exercises come as French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are spearheading European efforts to send what they call a 'reassurance force' to Ukraine after any end to the war sparked by Russia's 2022 invasion.
'We look at what is happening in theatres of operation and new modes of action to integrate them,' said Lieutenant-Colonel Romain, an FFL training officer who gave only his first name under French military policy.
A member of his 13th Demi-Brigade toggled a joystick from a basement where a video feed showed footage from the drone he controlled as it flew above the streets.
With just four radios, four laptops and a white sheet serving as a makeshift projection screen, the setup was spartan but for good reason, said the brigade's commanding officer, Colonel Benjamin Brunet.
'We drill to change position every six hours,' Col Brunet said, a lesson gleaned from Ukraine, where adversaries quickly spot the electromagnetic radiation emitted from command posts to destroy them.
For Captain Ed, a British intelligence officer who also could give only his first name, France and Britain have a proven track record of working together because they 'share a similar mindset and values'.
'Since 2018, the French and British have been together in Estonia' as part of a mission set up by Nato on its eastern flank, the captain said.
'We are training and we are ready to go anywhere in the world,' he said. AFP
A British armoured vehicle firing blank ammunition, as soldiers take part in urban combat exercises in northeastern France on April 22.
PHOTO: AFP
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- Straits Times
US, China hold new talks on tariff truce, easing path for Trump-Xi meeting
Find out what's new on ST website and app. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent leaving the July 28 trade talks between the US and China in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 28. STOCKHOLM - Top US and Chinese economic officials met in Stockholm on July 28 for more than five hours of talks aimed at resolving longstanding economic disputes at the centre of a trade war between the world's top two economies, seeking to extend a truce by three months. US Treasury Chief Scott Bessent was part of a US negotiating team that arrived at Rosenbad, the Swedish prime minister's office in central Stockholm, in the early afternoon. Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng was also seen at the venue on video footage. China is facing an Aug 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with President Donald Trump's administration, after Beijing and Washington reached preliminary deals in May and June to end weeks of escalating tit-for-tat tariffs and a cut-off of rare earth minerals. Negotiators from the two sides were seen exiting the office around 8pm (2am on July 29 in Singapore) and did not stop to speak with reporters. The discussions are expected to resume on July 29. Mr Trump touched on the talks during a wide-ranging press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road recovery works progressing steadily, tests under way Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far Singapore Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation Sport Gan Ching Hwee breaks 2 national records, qualifies for World Aquatics C'ships 1,500m final Asia Gunman kills 5 near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Business SIA Q1 profit falls 59%; airline group sees volatile times ahead Singapore Man exposed daughter's identity despite court order after she was removed from his care 'I'd love to see China open up their country,' Mr Trump said. Without an agreement, global supply chains could face renewed turmoil from US duties snapping back to triple-digit levels that would amount to a bilateral trade embargo. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said he did not expect 'some kind of enormous breakthrough today' at the talks in Stockholm that he was attending. 'What I expect is continued monitoring and checking in on the implementation of our agreement thus far, making sure that key critical minerals are flowing between the parties and setting the groundwork for enhanced trade and balanced trade going forward,' he told CNBC. The Stockholm talks follow Mr Trump's biggest trade deal yet with the European Union on July 27 for a 15 per cent tariff on most EU goods exports to the US. Xi-Trump meeting? Trade analysts said another 90-day extension of a tariff and export control truce struck in mid-May between China and the United States was likely. An extension would facilitate planning for a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in late October or early November. The Financial Times reported on July 28 that the US had paused curbs on tech exports to China to avoid disrupting trade talks with Beijing and support Mr Trump's efforts to secure a meeting with Mr Xi this year. Meanwhile, in Washington, US senators from both major parties plan to introduce Bills this week targeting China over its treatment of minority groups, dissidents, and Taiwan, emphasising security and human rights, which could complicate talks in Stockholm. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is set to delay an August trip his team had floated to the Trump administration that would have included stops in the United States, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on July 28. The potential visit would have infuriated Beijing, possibly derailing the trade talks. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, a position Taiwan rejects, and denounces any show of support for Taipei from Washington. Previous US-China trade talks in Geneva and London in May and June focused on bringing US and Chinese retaliatory tariffs down from triple-digit levels and restoring the flow of rare earth minerals halted by China and Nvidia's H20 AI chips, and other goods halted by the United States. So far, the talks have not delved into broader economic issues. They include US complaints that China's state-led, export-driven model is flooding world markets with cheap goods, and Beijing's complaints that US national security export controls on tech goods seek to stunt Chinese growth. 'Geneva and London were really just about trying to get the relationship back on track so that they could, at some point, actually negotiate about the issues which animate the disagreement between the countries in the first place,' said Mr Scott Kennedy, a China economics expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Mr Bessent has already flagged a deadline extension and has said he wants China to rebalance its economy away from exports to more domestic consumption – a decades-long goal for US policymakers. Analysts say the US-China negotiations are far more complex than those with other Asian countries and will require more time. China's grip on the global market for rare earth minerals and magnets, used in everything from military hardware to car windshield wiper motors, has proved to be an effective leverage point on US industries. REUTERS
CNA
17 minutes ago
- CNA
Trump, Starmer trade compliments but underline policy differences
TURNBERRY, SCOTLAND: US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer exchanged warm words during a meeting on Monday (Jul 28), while also outlining key differences on energy, tax and immigration during a joint media appearance at Trump's Turnberry golf course. Seated side by side in the ballroom of the Scottish resort, the two leaders praised the UK-US "special relationship" and their personal rapport. Trump, in particular, expressed admiration for Starmer and even praised the prime minister's family. "He's been so supportive of us and so strong and so respected, and I respect him much more today than I did before, because I just met his wife and family. He's got a perfect wife, and that's never easy to achieve," Trump said. Starmer, speaking for a fraction of the 72-minute appearance, responded with light humour. 'It's fantastic to be here – thank you for your hospitality – and to see this amazing golf course. I'll invite you to a football ground at some stage, and we can exchange sports,' he said. CLASH OVER LONDON MAYOR, ENERGY POLICY Despite the cordial tone, the two leaders touched on disagreements, including Trump's criticism of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, whom he called a "nasty person" and accused of doing a "terrible job". Starmer, a political ally of Khan, interjected: "He's a friend of mine, I should add." Trump also urged Starmer to expand the UK's domestic oil and gas output and reiterated his opposition to offshore wind farms. 'Wind is a disaster. It's a very expensive energy, it's a very ugly energy and we won't allow it in the United States,' Trump said. Starmer responded: 'We believe in a mix,' referring to the UK's plans for a diversified, carbon-free energy system that includes renewables and small nuclear reactors. The pair also discussed immigration and tax. Trump credited his hardline stance on immigration and tax cuts with helping him win re-election in 2024. Starmer's government, meanwhile, is facing economic headwinds and a potential need to raise taxes later this year. LOOKING AHEAD TO STATE VISIT The meeting came ahead of Trump's planned state visit to the UK in September, when he will be hosted by King Charles. Trump noted his long-standing acquaintance with the monarch. "I hate to say it, but nobody does it like you people in terms of the pomp and ceremony," he said. "I'm a big fan of King Charles. I've known him for quite a while. Great guy, great person." The visit will make Trump the first modern world leader to undertake two state visits to Britain. 'This is going to be a historic occasion, and we're all very much looking forward to it,' Starmer said.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Two stabbed to death near Tower Bridge in central London, police say
LONDON - Two men were stabbed to death at a business in central London on Monday near Tower Bridge, British police said, a major tourist destination and an area where violent crime is rare. Police received reports of multiple assaults at the premises in a narrow road close to the bridge in the London borough of Southwark, according to a police statement. A 58-year-old man died at the scene and a 27-year-old man died at hospital, and a murder investigation has been launched. police said. A third victim, a man in his 30s, remained in hospital with non-lethal injuries. Another man, also in his 30s, was detained in connection with the incident and is in a life-threatening condition in hospital, police added. "Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances of this shocking incident," Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond said. "At this point, we do not believe it to be terrorism-related and there is no further risk to the public." REUTERS
