HMS Northumberland And RFA Tanker Undergo 'Crucial Training'

HMS Northumberland and RFA Fort Victoria have been working together as they undergo "crucial training".

The Royal Navy frigate and her embarked 815 Naval Air Squadron Wildcat have been carrying out exercises with RFA Fort Victoria as it returns to the fleet following a refit last year.

RFA Tideforce and Dutch Navy Ship HNLMS Rotterdam have also been supporting the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker’s return.

Chief Officer Stuart Smith, RFA Fort Victoria’s executive officer, said the HMS Northumberland has "played a key role" in the ship's successful return to the fleet.

“Having effectively been in abeyance, it was excellent to see Fort Vic’s solid stores capability burst into life once again, with the passing of general stores and drill munition loads to our consorts – a truly fantastic milestone in the ship’s regeneration,” he said.

Whilst training together, the vessels carried out a replenishment at sea and vertical replenishments - moving stores between ships by cable, tube or helicopter.

HMS Northumberland also worked on anti-submarine warfare training - the vessel's main purpose - by hunting, tracking and engaging "enemy submarines" with Stingray torpedoes.

The ship then spent a week conducting intensive gunnery exercises off the coast of Cardigan Bay in Wales, the Navy said.

Personnel from 148 Battery Royal Artillery, 3 Commando Brigade, went up in the Wildcat helicopter as part of Exercise Sharp Shooter, improving the accuracy of HMS Northumberland’s 4.5in gun.

In the following days, the ship’s 30mm automatic small calibre gun was fired, with the HMS Northumberland’s personnel using an unmanned surface vessel as a target.

HMS Northumberland has returned to Devonport, while RFA Fort Victoria continues with her training.

Cover image: RFA Fort Victoria has been training alongside other ships, including HMS Northumberland, following a refit last year (Picture: Royal Navy).