Frigates HMS Argyll and HMS Campbeltown, based at Devonport, are amongst the ships taking part in what is believed to be the largest Royal Navy and RAF-led maritime training exercise ever seen in Scottish waters.

The Joint Maritime Course (JMC) , which started yesterday, involves more than 50 vessels from 13 nations, including giant nuclear-powered American aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, Dutch assault ship HNLMS Rotterdam, and seven submarines.

Also taking part will be 54 jet fighters, ten maritime patrol aircraft such as Nimrods, and others which will feature in reconnaissance and air-to-air refuelling roles.

During the JMC, designed to help improve compatibility and inter-operability between UK armed forces and their allies, RAF and NATO jest will simulate attacks on the multinational fleet, as will Royal Marines commandos in small boats.

Although the scenario and the countries concerned in the simulated combat will be fictitious, the ‘script’ will be heavily influenced by lessons learned from previous real-life operations, such as those in the Balkans, West Africa and Asia.

There will be force protection issues, but this particular scenario is not based on the war against terror.