Bridges, Drones and Determination: Inside Exercise Rhino Storm
When you think about military exercises, it's easy to picture soldiers rehearsing tactical manoeuvres and vehicles moving across vast training areas. But until you see it firsthand, it's difficult to appreciate the scale, complexity and commitment required to prepare a brigade-sized force for modern operations.
During the fifth week of Exercise Rhino Storm in Germany, we had the opportunity to see exactly that. More than 3,000 personnel from the British Army's 7th Light Mechanised Brigade had already spent weeks training alongside international partners in one of the Army's largest collective training activities in recent years.
For Saab, the exercise was an opportunity to support the soldiers on the ground through our Training & Simulation capabilities.
For me, it was a chance to witness how that technology and the people behind it contribute to realistic, meaningful training.
A 3am start and an engineering masterclass
The day began at 3am as we headed out to observe a river-crossing operation involving German military engineers.
As dawn broke, specialised bridge vehicles drove directly into the water before linking together one by one. Six vehicles combined to form a floating bridge across the river, transforming what had been a major obstacle into a route capable of supporting military vehicles and troops.
The speed and precision were remarkable. Within a short period, vehicles including Jackals and Foxhounds were already crossing and continuing towards their next objective.
As they passed, it was impossible not to notice Saab equipment integrated onto many of the platforms. Sensors and training systems were quietly working in the background, helping create realistic battlefield effects and capturing valuable exercise data.
Later in the day, we moved to a second location where British Army engineers conducted a similar crossing. This time, British and French soldiers crossed the bridge before regrouping on the far bank and moving off in convoy.
Watching the operation unfold highlighted the scale of Rhino Storm. This wasn't simply training – it was a complex exercise involving thousands of personnel, multiple nations and hundreds of vehicles operating across Germany.
Behind the scenes with Saab
The following day offered a very different perspective. Instead of observing manoeuvres, I spent time shadowing Saab employees supporting the exercise across several locations, including Princess Royal Barracks.
One of the team's key tasks was redistributing battery packs for the Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) equipment being used throughout the exercise. While it may sound routine, keeping the equipment operational is essential to ensuring realistic and uninterrupted training.
Driving through the training areas, the realism of the exercise became immediately apparent.
Roads were lined with defensive obstacles. Entrances had been barricaded. Camouflaged Jackals and Foxhounds sat hidden around buildings and defensive positions, while barbed wire stretched across roads and approaches.
Above all of this was the constant hum of drones conducting reconnaissance missions. Even when you couldn't see them, you knew they were there – a reminder of how modern warfare continues to evolve.
Keeping soldiers in the fight
Throughout the day, we travelled between different locations within the barracks, escorted by soldiers as the exercise continued around us.
At each stop, personnel arrived to exchange batteries, refresh equipment and ensure their TES systems remained operational.
Many looked tired after weeks in the field, yet every interaction demonstrated the same professionalism and focus. Soldiers remained ready to react to the next mission or assignment at a moment's notice.
What stood out most was the relationship between the soldiers and the Saab teams supporting them.
Whether troubleshooting equipment, replacing batteries or ensuring training systems remained operational, Saab employees worked seamlessly alongside military personnel to help keep the exercise moving.
Inside EXCON
One of the highlights of the visit was spending time inside the Exercise Control Centre (EXCON), where Saab personnel monitored and managed the exercise alongside members of the British Army.
The room was lined with screens feeding into a central display that provided a live overview of the battlefield. Soldiers and vehicles could be tracked in near real time across forests, river crossings and urban environments.
One Saab colleague explained that sensors had even been installed inside buildings, allowing EXCON teams to see exactly where soldiers were operating within individual structures. The level of detail was remarkable and provided exercise controllers with an accurate picture of events as they unfolded.
At the same time, Saab teams were already generating detailed after-action reports, transforming exercise data into valuable feedback for commanders and soldiers. It was a powerful demonstration of how Training & Simulation extends beyond the battlefield itself – capturing lessons and helping maximise the value of every training opportunity.
More than an exercise
Rhino Storm tested far more than combat capability. It challenged the engineering, logistics, command and support functions required to deploy and sustain a force of thousands of personnel and hundreds of vehicles.
For me, the lasting memory won't just be the floating bridges or the military hardware. It will be seeing soldiers from different nations working together, hearing drones overhead as defensive positions were prepared below, and witnessing Saab employees playing their part in keeping the exercise running.
It's easy to talk about Training & Simulation in terms of technology. Seeing it in action reinforces why it matters. Because ultimately, it's about helping soldiers train as realistically as possible – learning lessons in training today that help prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.