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.

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Daring Class (Type 45)