UK to Launch Domestic War-Preparedness Drill with Operation Pegasus

The UK government has confirmed plans to conduct a large-scale national security exercise this autumn, known as Operation Pegasus, aimed at testing the country’s preparedness for potential conflict on home soil. The drill will involve thousands of military personnel, civil servants, and emergency responders and is designed to simulate how the UK would respond to a major national crisis, including scenarios such as missile strikes, cyberattacks, terrorism, and the deliberate release of a biological agent.

This marks a notable development in the UK’s defence planning, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen domestic resilience. Officials say the exercise will not only test operational readiness but also examine the coordination between government departments, local authorities, the armed forces, and critical services during a national emergency.

One of the key components of Operation Pegasus will include realistic crisis simulations. Senior ministers will take part in mock COBRA meetings, and protocols for the protection of Cabinet members and the Royal Family will be included in the planning. The exercise aims to ensure that essential decision-making processes and continuity of government can be maintained in the event of a significant disruption.

The decision to hold such a drill comes in response to increasing concerns about security threats, including those posed by state actors such as Russia, China, and Iran. The UK’s national security strategy has recently placed greater emphasis on the risk of hybrid threats and attacks that target infrastructure, digital systems, and public health.

Operation Pegasus is expected to be the first of a series of annual resilience exercises. It forms part of a wider push to improve national preparedness and identify areas where improvements are needed. While the scenarios being tested are hypothetical, officials say the exercise is grounded in realistic risk assessments and is not being carried out in response to any specific threat.

The government is also considering reintroducing public-facing resilience campaigns to raise awareness and preparedness at the community level. The overall objective is to ensure that the UK’s institutions and services are equipped to manage complex emergencies, should they arise.