HMS Defender Prepares For Future Carrier Strike Operations

The Royal Navy's HMS Defender is undergoing training as she prepares for future carrier strike operations.

The destroyer and her 190-strong crew are on their second set of trials and training after completing a period of maintenance, following a 222-day deployment to the Gulf.

The crew are now getting ready for six weeks of Fleet Operational Sea Training ahead of carrier task group training later this year.

Commanding Officer, Commander Vince Owen, said: "It has been fantastic to take HMS Defender back to sea after a busy maintenance period following our return in March from seven months deployed in the Middle East.

"The focus for us has now shifted to preparing for our next deployment and the new challenges and opportunities that will present us.

"The next step on this exciting journey starts in July as we commence our Operational Sea Training package, this training will provide the perfect opportunity to integrate the new crew members into our team and enhance our maritime skills before we focus on carrier task group training later this year."

During the training, the crew have taken part in scenarios and training involving the ship's machinery, fire-fighting training, sea boat drills and an air-defence exercise.

“As tough as basic operational sea training can be, I am excited to refresh myself and help to train the more junior members of the ship’s company so we can deploy in 2021 as a competent fighting unit," said Leading Engineering Technician Danny Holmes.

During the Gulf deployment, the Type 45 destroyer escorted 38 merchant ships - carrying 1.6 million tonnes of cargo - through the Strait of Hormuz.

HMS Defender was originally deployed to the Far East but she was diverted to the Gulf following a period of heightened tensions in the region.

Her crew also carried out drug-busts whilst on anti-smuggling operations in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.

Cover image: HMS Defender during training (Picture: Royal Navy).