Royal Marines Trial Drones In Cyprus Exercise

Royal Marines Commandos have been conducting two weeks of drone trials off the coast of Cyprus, as they try out future technology.

Robot systems are being used to provide personnel on the ground with ammunition and supplies, as well as intelligence of enemy movements and activity.

It is part of Exercise Autonomous Advance Force 3.0, which will help develop the tactics and equipment Royal Marines will utilise as part of the Future Commando Force.

Leading the exercise is Commanding Officer of 47 Commando Raiding Group Royal Marines, Colonel Chris Haw, who said: "Cyprus gives us a superb opportunity to test the equipment and concepts of the UK’s Future Commando Force, whilst maintaining our excellence at the basics.

"We are putting this technology into the hands of Royal Marines and Sailors and integrating it both at sea and on land."

47 Commando’s trials squadron is testing drones, as well as honing the operational ability between Royal Navy vessels and the shore for the first time.

A new communications kit is also being assessed, with the aim of allowing small teams to operate behind enemy lines more effectively and covertly.

Royal Marines from 40 Commando have been using a live data feed from an unmanned aerial vehicle for surveillance and reconnaissance training, plus testing software that will assist communications, gathering intelligence, navigating, and data sharing in challenging environments.

Support ship RFA Lyme Bay's operations room then uses the combined intelligence.

Aside from the automated technology, 47 Commando are also trialling alternative methods of inserting small teams from ship to shore, while different elements of 42 Commando practise their specialist skills alongside Cypriot forces.

Monitoring both the tech and tactics closely is Natalie Anders from the MOD’s science labs DSTL.

"Autonomous Advance Force 3 brings together commando forces with autonomous technologies to deliver battle-winning advantage," she explained.

"By experimenting with both tactics and technology we can multiply the effectiveness of each Marine on the ground."

Cover image: Royal Marines of 42 Commando head towards Orange Beach in Cyprus (Picture: Royal Navy)