HMS Dauntless proves she's a sharpshooter as she downs swarm of drones

A Royal Navy warship has shot down a swarm of drones in a live-fire exercise off the Welsh coast.

HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 destroyer, took part in Exercise Sharpshooter before she heads to the Indo-Pacific region with the UK's Carrier Strike Group deployment.

The vessel was tasked with stopping hundreds of Banshee, Hammerhead and virtual drone attacks in a simulation of real-world threats over five days.

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The exercise comes after HMS Diamond repelled seven attack drones from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea with her Sea Viper missiles and guns in January last year.

"The speed and skill shown by the crew of HMS Dauntless in defending the ship against a complex and sustained series of drone attacks was incredibly impressive," said Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard, who saw the exercise firsthand.

"This test shows how the Royal Navy is adapting to face evolving threats, including from drone attacks in the Red Sea, as well as how we are working closely with industry to harness the latest technology to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad," he said.

QinetiQ's Banshee Whirlwind target is an aerial drone that can fly at more than 200mph, and the Hammerhead is an uncrewed surface vehicle that replicates realistic threats.

The 7,350-tonne warship fired her Phalanx Automated Gun, 4.5-inch and 30mm guns at the drones. Meanwhile, a Wildcat helicopter launched Martlet missiles, which can obliterate targets nearly 6km away.

More than 350 personnel were involved in training drills, which were created by the Royal Navy's Fleet Operational Standards and Training's (FOST) instructors and QinetiQ.

Commander Ben Dorrington, HMS Dauntless's Commanding Officer, said: "The realism of the exercise and training delivered provided a unique opportunity for the ship's company to demonstrate they are ready to defend, ready to fight and ready to win.

"As we reach the pinnacle of our comprehensive training package with the conclusion of Exercise Sharpshooter, we look forward to some well-deserved Easter leave before deploying as part of the Carrier Strike Group in the spring."

Several static drones were also dropped in the sea in the style of other threats.