Reconnaissance specialists from the British and German airborne forces have taken a significant step towards closer military co-operation by sharing their expert parachuting skills for the first time. The Pathfinders (PF) from the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade and Germany’s Fallschirmspezialkräfte (FSZ) from Luftlandebrigade 1 joined forces for Exercise Deep Infil—a high-level parachuting exercise held in Portugal.
‘First In’ Specialists
The two elite units, renowned for their ability to operate behind enemy lines, specialise in discreet airborne insertion using high-altitude parachuting. Their primary mission is to locate and mark drop zones and landing zones, paving the way for larger troop deployments by parachute, helicopter, or aircraft.
As the Pathfinders’ motto ‘first in’ suggests, their role is pivotal in shaping the success of airborne operations. The collaboration with the FSZ—who share a similar role—provided a unique opportunity to combine expertise, refine techniques, and strengthen tactical understanding.
A High-Flying Partnership
Over the course of nine days at the Aeródromo Militar de Tancos near Lisbon, British and German troops conducted joint parachuting operations from a Luftwaffe A400M transport aircraft, jumping from a height of 12,000ft. These exercises spanned both day and night, offering valuable insights into each other’s tactics and procedures.
The training follows the signing of the Trinity House Agreement last October, which solidified the UK and Germany’s commitment to closer military co-operation.
A PF troop commander emphasised the significance of the collaboration:
“It’s been a fantastic opportunity to work with Fallschirmspezialkräfte, who have almost identical roles and capabilities to Pathfinders. By training together, we’re building our understanding of how we each work, ensuring we’re better prepared for future operations together.”
Learning from Each Other
The partnership extended beyond parachuting, offering both teams a chance to compare and refine their approaches. Small differences in equipment and procedures proved to be invaluable learning opportunities for both sides.
An FSZ officer noted:
“There’s no better way to bond than jumping together. Soon after our Defence Ministers decided to deepen German-British co-operation, this exercise has brought us closer. We’re excited to host the Pathfinders in Germany next, where they will participate in our assessment and selection course.”
Strengthening Bonds for Future Operations
The exercise not only demonstrated growing trust and co-operation between the two armies but also laid the groundwork for deeper integration in future missions. By blending their expertise, PF and FSZ have taken a crucial step toward seamless collaboration in any joint deployment scenarios.
