Norwegian navy’s largest ship arrives in Scotland ahead of Nato exercise

Replenishment oiler HNoMS Maud is one of a number of large ships visiting the Clyde this week and next to take part in Operation Strike Warrior, a military “war games” activity being led by UK forces.

Maud is named in honour of Queen Maud of Norway, wife of Haakon VII of Norway, and is the largest ever to feature in the Royal Norwegian Navy.

Her primary role involves supporting naval forces with after-supplies.

Operation Strike Warrior will take place October 14 and 27 and will see a series of training exercises and events in the north of Scotland and the North Sea involving warships, submarines and aircraft.

The exercise is held at this time of year annually and sees military assets of all shapes and sizes using the region as a base, with previous exercises seeing vessels dock at HMNB Clyde, Hunterston and Greenock.

Aircraft are also set to use Prestwick Airport as a base and staging area for the duration of the exercise.