Patrol vessel HMS Spey shows off her Puma drone capabilities for the first time

HMS Spey has been proving her remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) capability for the first time during her visit to the Indo-Pacific.

The Royal Navy ship is in Japan for her most recent deployment, and has been training with her Puma unmanned aircraft system.

The crew  have been launching the drones by hand into the air from the deck of the second-generation River-class offshore patrol vessel.

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In the post made on social media, the crew show how only two people are required to prepare the drone before it is launched into the air by a single person.

Working alongside their counterparts from the Republic of Korea Navy in the East China Sea, HMS Spey's deployment was the first example of the Japan-UK defence agreement applying to naval port visits and training.

With support from 700X Naval Air Squadron, this unmanned aircraft training proves the versatility of the warship.