HMS Duncan demonstrates air defence capability in exercise
Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan has showcased its air defence capabilities during Exercise Mare Aperto off the coast of Italy, the navy announced on 16 May.
The destroyer joined 57 ships, helicopters and aircraft from eight countries in the Italian multilateral maritime warfare exercise.
The Royal Navy ship conducted six anti-submarine and 11 air defence exercises in seven days before the participating units divided into opposing forces to test their abilities. The warship was tasked with providing air and surface defences as the exercise moved through the Messina Straits which divide Sicily and mainland Italy.
In the scenario, Italy and Sicily played the role of allies while Sardinia played a hostile nation. To retake control of the region, an amphibious task force was deployed to Sardinia while an Italian and Spanish ship landed two battalions of marines ashore. Meanwhile, HMS Duncan provided protection from surface, sub-surface and air threats during the 'invasion'.
HMS Duncan had been in the Mediterranean conducting security operations as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2). The Portsmouth-based ship will now continue its deployment in the region, rejoining SNMG2 later in May.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![First Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker is "on track" for keel laying in late 2026]()
First Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker is "on track" for keel laying in late 2026
CCGS Arpatuuq construction is in the block manufacturing phase. Once built, it will be the largest vessel in the Coast Guard’s inventory.
-
![US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship]()
US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship
NAVSEA plans to select up to three suppliers for the concept design phase of the programme in Q2 FY2026.
-
![South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch]()
South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch
Hanwha Ocean’s Jang Yeong-sil is the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 3,600t submarine and is the first of three boats in the military’s KSS-III programme.
-
![ST Engineering Marine expands capacity, seeks regional partners for growth]()
ST Engineering Marine expands capacity, seeks regional partners for growth
The company could be looking to collaborate with other Asian nations as well as countries further afield as it pushes ahead with its shipyard expansion plans.
-
![US Navy approaches the award of a follow-on contract for Aegis production]()
US Navy approaches the award of a follow-on contract for Aegis production
Naval Sea Systems Command intends to grant a production agreement for the Aegis Weapon System covering the FY2026-FY2030 period.
