Agence France-Presse,
Lyneham, England: Britain's armed forces launched a display of heavy firepower on Thursday at an airbase in southern England, ahead of an informal meeting of EU defence ministers.
The military used fighter planes, transport and refuelling aircraft, helicopters, artillery and ground troops in a five-phase exercise showing how EU-led troops would seize a hostile airstrip if requested by the African Union.
Harrier jump jets flew in low over the ministers' heads to destroy “enemy” vehicles dotted around the Royal Air Force base in Lyneham southern England, guided to their targets by an advance team of reconnaissance paratroopers.
Field artillery was dropped in by Chinook helicopters and fired off rounds as C-130 aircraft deployed supplies and a huge C-17 transport jet landed on a dime to bring in jeeps, a truck and personnel.
During their meeting, hosted by Britain's defence minister John Reid, the officials will discuss the EU's operation in Bosnia and examine plans to open the arms industry to competition. It comes after two former NATO generals warned European countries to reform their militaries and pool their resources in order to better confront contemporary security challenges.
