UK, US ships conduct minehunting exercise
Four British ships together with several US ones participated in a four-day minehunting exercise as a warm-up for the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise, the UK Royal Navy announced on 31 March.
Minehunters HMS Middleton (Hunt class) and HMS Bangor (Sandown class) and their mother/support ship RFA Cardigan Bay as well as frigate HMS St Albans were tested along with US minehunter USS Gladiator, while the auxiliary tug USNS Catawba planted practice mines in the Gulf for the minehunters to find, neutralise or recover.
The exercise tested the forces’ ability to work together, conduct boardings and searches of suspicious vessels, eliminate targets with their guns, fend off air attacks, clear the mock minefield and put divers in the water.
Cmdr Jools Howe, in charge of the mine warfare battle staff, UK Royal Navy, said: ‘This is a perfect example of how successfully a multi-national force can integrate and work together to hone its skills in difficult and changeable environmental conditions. Understanding the nuances of each area is key as we work maintain freedom of navigation and ensure safety in the region.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Netherlands to acquire Finnish littoral assault craft in LCVP replacement programme]()
Netherlands to acquire Finnish littoral assault craft in LCVP replacement programme
The Dutch navy had reportedly been considering BAE Systems’ Littoral Strike Craft to replace its ageing landing craft fleet.
-
![Swedish navy moves to final phase of Blekinge-class sub production with new Saab order]()
Swedish navy moves to final phase of Blekinge-class sub production with new Saab order
Saab Kockums was initially awarded the contract to build two A26 submarines for the Royal Swedish Navy in 2015, but the programme has faced delays and escalating costs.
-
![Germany goes for more US equipment for F127 frigates with SPY-6 radar choice]()
Germany goes for more US equipment for F127 frigates with SPY-6 radar choice
If the foreign military sale request is approved, Germany would be the first country outside the US to acquire the technology, which is currently used extensively by the US Navy.
-
![Beyond GPS: How LEO satellites are changing the game in naval navigation]()
Beyond GPS: How LEO satellites are changing the game in naval navigation
Satellite navigation is increasingly critical for global maritime defence, and Low Earth Orbit satellites are rapidly overtaking the traditional and more widely used Medium Earth Orbit option as they are less susceptible to jamming or spoofing.
-
![US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials]()
US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials
The initial sea trials for Virginia-class SSN 798 conducted by Newport News Shipbuilding division and the US Navy marked an “important step”, but the ongoing AUKUS review casts a shadow over what the progress means for the partner nations.
