Global reach. Precision. Ready to deliver decisive air power whenever and wherever it’s needed.
The Royal Air Force has joined allied Air Forces in Italy for Exercise Falcon Strike 25, a major multinational live-fly exercise designed to test and enhance fifth-generation fighter capabilities in complex, contested environments. This exercise forms part of the UK’s wider contribution to Operation Highmast, an eight-month global deployment spanning Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.
Strengthening NATO Integration
Hosted by the Italian Air Force, Falcon Strike brings together participants from France, Greece, the United States and the United Kingdom, with a focus on:
- Integrating fourth and fifth-generation aircraft
- Refining coalition tactics
- Strengthening logistics cooperation among F-35 users
The exercise involves over 50 aircraft across air, land, sea and cyber domains, testing interoperability at scale.
“Exercise Falcon Strike is another outstanding demonstration of how far our collaboration with the Italian Air Force has come. Training side-by-side with our Italian colleagues strengthens interoperability, deepens mutual understanding and ensures that both nations remain ready to deliver decisive air power whenever and wherever it’s needed. This exercise showcased not only fifth-generation capability, but the trust and professionalism that underpin every mission we fly together.”
Air Marshal Marshall, Air and Space Commander
Part of Operation Highmast
Falcon Strike is the latest chapter in Operation Highmast, the UK’s strategic deployment that has seen British air and space assets operate across multiple theatres since early 2025. The operation has been led by the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group, centred on HMS Prince of Wales, with the RAF working in close collaboration to deliver integrated air power across regions.
“Over the past eight months, the Royal Air Force has delivered a truly global contribution through Operation Highmast—from the UK to the Mediterranean, across the Middle East and deep into the Indo-Pacific,” said Air Marshal Marshall. “This has been a sustained demonstration of reach, resilience and relevance: projecting air and space power, strengthening partnerships and reaffirming the UK’s commitment to regional security.”
