According to report by ITV British forces are taking part in Nato’s largest military exercise for decades off the coast of Norway.

The drills, which began on Sunday, come days after Sweden was officially welcomed into the alliance.

A total of 13 Nato members – including the United States plus new additions Finland and Sweden – are taking part in the exercise, which has been codenamed Steadfast Defender 24.

Collectively, up to 90,000 troops are involved, alongside more than 50 submarines, frigates, corvettes, aircraft carriers and amphibious vessels at sea.

One hundred plus combat, maritime surveillance and transport aircraft are also taking part.