A MAJOR NATO exercise is underway off Scotland's west coast that will see warships and submarines in local waters.

Running until Sunday, October 27, Exercise Strike Warrior involves 35 aircraft and around 2,000 armed forces personnel.

The UK-led exercise brings together ten allied nations and will include the Carrier Support Group (CSG), which is led by Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

The 10 NATO nations participating in Exercise Strike Warrior 24 are Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom, and United States.

Thirteen naval units including frigates, destroyers, tankers, and submarines from the 10 Allied nations are participating around the Scottish Coast.

Let's take a closer look at some of the vessels spotted in Clyde waters so far...

NRP Dom Francisco de Almeida

This vessel is currently in active service with the Portuguese Navy, after being bought from the Dutch in 2009.

The frigate was launched in 1992 and was put into active service two years later. It can carry one helicopter and is armed with missiles and torpedoes.

(Image: Brian Thompson)

HMS Portland

One of the home vessels on the Clyde this week, HMS Portland is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy.

The vessel was launched in 1999, and is the eighth ship to bear the name and the last of the Duke class.

It was built on the Clyde by Marconi Marine, and has been deployed across the world on operations.

(Image: Karen Elliott Cook)

Magdeburg

The Magdeburg is a Braunschweig class vessel and is one of Germany's newest class of ocean-going corvettes. 

It was launched in 2006 at a cost of €240 million, and carries a range of armaments including missiles and mines.

In October 2016, it was announced that a second batch of five more frigates was to be procured between 2022 to 2025. 

(Image: Bob Dougans)

HNoMS Maud

This replenishment oiler, constructed in South Korea, was built for service in the Royal Norwegian Navy.

The vessel's main role is to support naval forces with supplies, and it is the largest ship ever constructed for the Royal Norwegian Navy.

In September 2021, the ship started her maiden deployment, where she was part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, helping to replenish Allied vessels.

(Image: Janet Boyle)