HMS Duncan sails in formation with US warships on exercise in eastern Mediterranean

HMS Duncan has sailed in formation with the Dwight D Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group and Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer is in the region as she is due to be deployed to the Red Sea to protect shipping lanes from Houthi attacks.

USS Dwight D Eisenhower joined the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group for operations in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as she sails home after a twice-extended tour leading America's response to the Houthi threat.

• HMS Diamond alongside in Mallorca as she sails home from Red Sea deployment
• Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan deploys for Red Sea to relieve HMS Diamond
• Royal Navy warship shoots down a missile in combat for first time since Gulf War

HMS Duncan left Portsmouth in May to relieve her sister ship HMS Diamond, who has been operating in the Red Sea since before Christmas.

Last week, HMS Diamond stopped off in Palma, Mallorca, on her journey home to the UK.

In April, HMS Diamond made history when she shot down a Houthi missile – the first combat interception of this type in more than 30 years.

HMS Duncan will be a like-for-like replacement for Diamond – armed with the same Sea Viper missile system and equipped with the same radar systems, which can accurately detect faraway threats.

During her deployment, HMS Diamond has shot down nine drones and one missile that were launched at cargo ships by Houthis from the coast of Yemen.