Eight countries trained to defend against ballistic missile attacks in the US-led ‘Formidable Shield’ exercise.
NATO has revealed 14 ships, 10 aircraft, and roughly 3,300 personnel from the UK, the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands were involved in the test.
It is the first time NATO allies have practised defending against unpredictable ballistic missiles.
The exercise comes as the US ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey, confirmed the beginning of war talks to discuss a “collective response” against North Korea.
North Korea’s despotic leader Kim Jong-Un has ramped up ballistic missile testing, threatening to destroy the US and telling neighbour Japan “you will never be safe”.
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Ms Bailey said that talks were in the “very early stages” to trigger Article 5 of the NATO founding treaty.
This is the founding principle of the treaty that enshrines the notion of collective defence.
Ms Bailey said: “We believe it is a common threat. If it becomes a successful possibility it will not be just America, it will be a much more problematic situation and I think that is beginning to come to the forefront.
“Talks are in the very early stages. There are so many steps that would have to be taken before we would get to that point and it would depend on what kind of attack it is, where it is.”
This is the first time Article 5 has been invoked since the September 11 attacks.
Images of the defensive drills, which aim to prepare allies for the eventuality of a ballistic missile attack, show missile launches designed to intercept enemy fire.
Soldiers watch on as the missiles launch in the Outer Hebrides, while further images show a Sea Hawk helicopter landing on a US vessel, and Scottish tug boats escorting war ships to training.
Britain’s Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, said: “North Korean tests have shown the danger of rogue states developing longer range missiles.
“By hosting this cutting-edge exercise in anti-missile defence with allied navies, Britain is at the forefront of developing a more effective response to this growing threat.”
The exercise will continue until October 18.