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
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Desan Shipyard to build Malaysia’s largest ever coast guard vessel]()
Desan Shipyard to build Malaysia’s largest ever coast guard vessel
The vessel should join the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in 2017.
-
![US Navy tests Aegis combat system for hypersonic missile defence]()
US Navy tests Aegis combat system for hypersonic missile defence
The Arleigh Burke destroyer USS Pinckney undertook the tests against a simulated SM-6 missile.
-
![Royal Navy destroyer completes UAV live-fire exercise before heading to the Indo-Pacific]()
Royal Navy destroyer completes UAV live-fire exercise before heading to the Indo-Pacific
HMS Dauntless ran a full UAV test to mimic potential real-world threats.
-
![Havelsan sells ADVENT CMS into Chilean Navy frigates]()
Havelsan sells ADVENT CMS into Chilean Navy frigates
The system is intended to add enhanced operational precision to two ageing vessels.
-
![Second rMCM vessel begins sea trials, advances autonomous minesweeping]()
Second rMCM vessel begins sea trials, advances autonomous minesweeping
The rMCM programme will ultimately comprise of 12 vessels, six each working for the Belgian and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
-
![Long-delayed polar icebreaker programme gets cash and impetus boost]()
Long-delayed polar icebreaker programme gets cash and impetus boost
The US Government has awarded a significant contract to move along its Polar Security Cutter programme.
