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Exercise Pegasus
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Exercise Pegasus

UK's largest pandemic-scenario exercise, run during the 2025-26 reporting year.

Last refreshed: 21 July 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

The UK just ran its largest-ever pandemic drill; why won't the government say what happened?

Timeline for Exercise Pegasus

#11 14 Jul

Ran during the reporting year as the UK's largest pandemic-scenario exercise

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Background

The UK Biological Security Strategy's 14 July implementation report confirmed Exercise Pegasus, which it describes as the largest pandemic-scenario exercise in British history, had run during the 2025-26 reporting year. The same report set out GBP 1.83bn for a network of national biosecurity centres, including Dstl Porton Down, Weybridge and Harwell.

Exercise Pegasus is the UK Government's flagship pandemic-preparedness exercise, used to test cross-departmental response to a large-scale biological emergency. Beyond confirming that it ran, the government's public report gives no further detail on Pegasus's scenario, scale, or findings.

Common Questions
Has the government published Exercise Pegasus's scenario or findings?
No, beyond confirming that it ran during the 2025-26 reporting year, the government's public report gives no further detail on Pegasus's scenario, scale or findings.Source: UK government
When did Exercise Pegasus take place?
The government's 14 July 2026 implementation report confirmed it ran during the 2025-26 reporting year, without giving an exact date.Source: UK government
What is Exercise Pegasus?
The UK Government's largest pandemic-scenario exercise in British history, confirmed as having run during the 2025-26 reporting year under the UK Biological Security Strategy.Source: UK government