The two-week exercise, known as Flintlock, is designed to strengthen co-ordination against Islamist militant groups in West Africa and the Sahel.

It opens just before French President Emmanuel Macron hosts a summit in Paris this week on the future of the French-led multinational force based in Mali.

Following the coups there and in neighbouring Burkina Faso - as well as the growing influence of the Russian mercenary force known as the Wagner Group - France and its European allies have said they are prepared to withdraw security assistance unless the military regimes pledge to restore democratic government.