West African navies' counter-piracy skills boosted thanks to HMS Trent
The Royal Navy has helped the ability of West African nations to counter pirates and smuggling operations.
Patrol ship HMS Trent worked with coastal West African nations to help disrupt illegal activity and promote security along busy shipping lanes during her second deployment to the Gulf of Guinea.
Deployed with a specialist Royal Marines boarding team and a Puma surveillance drone, HMS Trent worked to develop skills and techniques needed to counter illicit activity in the region.
Lieutenant Ben Hunter, HMS Trent's Operations Officer, said: "It was great to be able to take part in Grand African Nemo 2023 and facilitate training for several nations in the Gulf of Guinea.
"After spending the last few months operating off West Africa contributing to maritime security operations, to be able to build on this by participating in such a large exercise to develop the security infrastructure and contribute to boarding training has been very satisfying.
"A highlight was exercising with the Gambian Navy.
"After visiting them in August and assisting in getting one of their ships back to sea, to then conduct training with them was incredibly rewarding."
Twenty-nine navies took part in the Grand African Nemo 2023 exercise, primarily African and European countries but also Brazil and the US.
"From countering piracy, smuggling and illegal migration off West Africa, vessels of all shapes and sizes came together to train and learn for a safer and more secure Gulf of Guinea," said the Royal Navy.
The UK, as well as other nations who took part in the exercise, have a vested interest in the security of the trade routes in the Gulf of Guinea – the region allows an estimated £6bn of UK trade to pass through every year.
"It has been a privilege for us to work with our partner nations and to demonstrate the Royal Navy's commitment to improving maritime security in the region," said HMS Trent's Commanding Officer, Commander Tim Langford.
The 90-metre offshore patrol vessel is on a long-term deployment to the Mediterranean and African waters.
Prior to the exercise, HMS Trent strengthened bonds with major visits across the region, including Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast – the first stop in the country by the Navy for 11 years.
During port visits, guests were welcomed on board and treated to tours, capability demonstrations and receptions on the flight deck.
HMS Trent has also been conducting patrols in the region, launching a Puma drone for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering for the first time. The drone can monitor an area larger than the size of Greater Manchester.
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