Royal Navy task group join Dutch warships on 'experimental' mission to shape future Commando force

PERSONNEL from a Portsmouth warship have united with the Dutch navy in the Mediterranean as part of an ‘experimental’ deployment to craft the future Commando force.

By Tom Cotterill

Published 26th Sep 2020, 15:29 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

HMS Dragon, part of the UK’s amphibious task group, is on a three-month mission in the Med.

Operating alongside the Royal Navy’s amphibious assault ship HMS Albion and support vessel RFA Lyme Bay, the £1bn destroyer provides protection from aerial threats like jets and missiles.

Naval top brass see this deployment as an ‘experiment’ and a chance to test new tech, tactics and concepts to help forge the Royal Marines’ future commando force – and the ship and aircraft that will carry them into battle.

Pictured: Personnel on the Amphibious ship HMS Albion wearing anti-flash clothing as they run through exercises with a Dutch aircraft for an air defence exercise

Pictured: Personnel on the Amphibious ship HMS Albion wearing anti-flash clothing as they run through exercises with a Dutch aircraft for an air defence exercise

Dragon and the rest of the British task force rendezvoused with HNLMS Johan de Witt and HNLMS Rotterdam.

The fleet of warships have combined to carry out joint manoeuvres, which have included multiple mock air attacks of Royal Navy flagship Albion.

Navy facing 'big problems' with its carrier strike plan as MPs urge MoD to 'crac...

The opportunity to train alongside Dragon and the rest of the Royal Navy task group has been welcomed by sailors from the Netherlands Maritime Force.

Royal Netherland Navy and RFA Lyme Bay pass by the amphibious flag ship HMS Albion on exercise in the Mediterranean. Photo: Royal Navy

Royal Netherland Navy and RFA Lyme Bay pass by the amphibious flag ship HMS Albion on exercise in the Mediterranean. Photo: Royal Navy

Lieutenant Commander Peter Schilt, a Dutch exchange officer aboard HMS Albion, said: ‘This meeting was extremely important and demonstrates the good relations and long and strong bonds between our navies.

‘Both navies have proven through joint exercises and operations that we are reliable and capable to meet threat challenges together.’

Dragon left Portsmouth earlier this month and arrived in Gibraltar earlier this week to join Albion and Lyme Bay.

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth has the highest coronavirus infection rate in Hampshire

Photograph of HMS Dragon at sea.

Photograph of HMS Dragon at sea.

The force is working with Nato and the UK’s allies in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region.

It’s hoped that Dragon will return to Portsmouth before Christmas.

Looking for the latest Royal Navy updates from Portsmouth? Join our new Royal Navy news Facebook group to keep up to date.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

A sailor works in a control room during the air defence exercise. Photo: Royal Navy

A sailor works in a control room during the air defence exercise. Photo: Royal Navy

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.

HMS Dragon Portsmouth Royal Navy

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.