Royal Navy Destroyer Shows Its Bite On Exercise Sky Shark

Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer HMS Dauntless and French FREMM frigate Aquitaine have teamed up to practice repelling naval attacks in the Atlantic.

As part of Exercise Sky Shark the Royal Navy and the French Navy were able to show a shared commitment to maritime security and combined operations in a series of manoeuvres off the western coast of Europe.

Sky Shark also involved Dutch and Spanish warships — Dutch cruiser HNLSM De Ruyter and Spanish frigate ESPS Alvaro de Bazan — acting as enemy forces launching simulated naval strikes.

As per a recent Royal Navy press statement, the Portsmouth-based British vessel was tasked with providing air defence against threats posed by the French Navy’s Rafale jets and countering underwater threats from a French submarine.

Commanding Officer of HMS Dauntless Commander Ben Dorrington, commented: “This exercise underscores the vital importance of the U.K.-French partnership. By working together in challenging maritime scenarios, we continue to strengthen our ability to respond effectively to shared challenges.”

HMS Dauntless also managed another first when it carried out a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) from the French naval tanker, FS Somme.

• You can read more details on the Royal Navy website and on the French MoD website