Italian F-35Bs and Harriers fly with French Rafales during Neptune Strike exercise

In recent days, the skies over Slovenia and Croatia have hosted intense operational activity as part of NATO’s Neptune Strike exercise, involving the joint deployment of various allied air assets.

Specifically, Italian Navy F-35B Lightning II and AV-8B Harrier II aircraft operated alongside French Rafale fighters and a French A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). The aim of the exercise was to test and enhance air-to-land integration—the coordination between air power and ground forces during close air support missions.

Over Slovenia 🇸🇮 and Croatia 🇭🇷, Italian 🇮🇹 F-35B Lightning IIs & AV-8B Harrier IIs worked alongside French 🇫🇷 Rafale fighter jets and A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to conduct air-to-land integration as part of #NeptuneStrike 🔱.

Rehearsing air-to-land integration… pic.twitter.com/ou6betp5wb

— STRIKFORNATO (@STRIKFORNATO) April 30, 2025

This type of joint training improves the speed and precision of combat air support, boosting overall operational effectiveness and strengthening interoperability among allied armed forces.

Neptune Strike stands as a clear demonstration of NATO’s determination and readiness to defend sovereignty, peace, and the rules-based international order.